Rocci focused on being a Spartans leader while chasing Olympics berth

Written by Julia Montesano  

Southern Districts star recruit Maddison Rocci is coming off a huge year.

Even though COVID-19 heavily affected 2020 for many basketball players, Rocci was fortunate enough to play a WNBL season with the Canberra Capitals and win the club’s MVP as well as being named in the All-WNBL Second Team.

This sensational form led to her being selected in the Australian Opals squad, who she has been training with throughout 2021 in the hope of booking her ticket to Tokyo for the 2021 Olympic Games.

On top of all this, she still has a WNBL season to prepare for, with a third championship firmly in her sights after winning two with the Capitals in back-to-back years.

But despite everything going on in Rocci’s busy life, the 22-year-old is impressively remaining focused on the NBL1 North season ahead with the Spartans.

“Being one of those players coming in with a bit of experience, it will be great to lead those younger girls on the team,” she says about Southern Districts’ young group.

“It’ll be great to talk to those girls about my WNBL experience.

“I know there’s a lot of young kids out there who are going to look up to us in many ways.

“I want to be that person who will be there for anybody with a question if they ask.

“I’ve already started with the General Manager’s daughter.

“I want to do as much as possible for everyone this season with the knowledge that I have.”

The NBL1 North is an exciting prospect not only for Rocci, but all players, as they have the opportunity to play with and against NBL and WNBL stars, as well as aim for both a conference championship and national championship.

The 5’6’’ guard knows the season will be difficult at times but is looking forward to making an impact with the Spartans in the Women’s division.

“The team we’ve put together at Southern Districts is a really good team,” Rocci says.

“From the practice matches we’ve played and the training sessions we’ve had, I can tell it’s going to be a really exciting season.

“It’s going to be challenging at times, but we know we’ve got to stick together and get through it.”

Rocci is no stranger to Queensland basketball, having previously played with USC RipCity in the QSL.

Now with a team closer to home, she is ready to take her game to another level in the new NBL1 North season.

“I loved my time with Rip City, I have nothing against that team, I just moved to Southern Districts to be closer to home,” Rocci says.

“I also wanted to be around players that wanted to help me get better and grow my game.

“I know that with the team we’ve put together this season, I’m going to be able to do that.”

Being away from home for six weeks was hard for many WNBL players, but Rocci was one player who really thrived in the competition’s Queensland hub last year.

‘Hubbing’ in her home state meant she was more relaxed and more focused to win a third straight championship with the Capitals.

Although that goal did not come to fruition, Rocci says there were many positives that came out of the 2020 season.

“You could just see the development in our games,” she says about the Capitals.

“I played alongside some great players and they obviously have helped me over the years, so to have this hub season and to have the season that I did, I couldn’t do it without the players that have backed me in and my coach.”

Rocci continues to train alongside some great players, including fellow NBL1 North star Cayla George, at the Opals training camps this year.

She hopes she can turn that training into playing and head on a plane to Tokyo later in the year to represent her country at the highest level.

“I’m about to go into another camp this Sunday and that will be the final camp before selection to Tokyo,” Rocci says.

“I really want to make that team because it’s always been a goal for me to go to the Olympics.

“I know I’ve done all the hard work to try and make it but at the end of the day, I know I’ve put everything forward including all the hard work and training.

“If there’s disappointment there, I know I have many years to come to be an Opal.”

Not only does Rocci have many role models at her disposal at Opals training camps, but she now can now call fellow WNBL star Aimie Clydesdale (now Aimee Rocci) her sister-in-law, after she married Rocci’s brother.

“Aimie is the best person and I’m so glad to have her in my family,” Rocci says.

“She’s such a great person to talk to about lots of things like basketball and everyday life.

“It’s great to not only have her on the basketball side but also on the family side.

“It’s amazing to be able to call her my sister.

“I have lots of love for her.”