Born leader

Griffith Thomas | 22nd June 2009

Photo: Griffith Thomas

MOST junior basketballers dread having to watch their team compete from the sideline.

But Inala's Oli Hurst is one of the few who doesn't have a preference.

When the under-18 Western Magic mens' team (which trains at the Inala PCYC) was without a coach for their Brisbane Basketball Friday night fixtures, a then 15-year-old Hurst came to the rescue.

In what seems like a storyline straight from a script of a Disney movie, Hurst grabbed a whistle and took charge of the team in December last year.

Hurst doesn't hold a driver's licence and still had two years of schooling remaining, but the self confessed 'tomboy' said she wasn't afraid to bark instructions to men two and three years older than her.

The Corinda State High School year 11 student recently finished her second season as the team's coach, but reveals her audacious move did come with criticism.

“A lot of other coaches doubted me and thought 'you're a girl and you're younger than them, you won't be able to control them,” the now 16-year-old said.

“The team felt the same way, but I gave them a choice: either you have me as your coach or don't play.”

While the confident teen hopes to one day turn her new found coaching talents into a possible career in personal training, the under-23 Magic star is no slouch on the court.

The 183cm utility is touted as one of the best up-and-comers in the state.

Hurst made the step up to the Brisbane Capitals' Queensland Basketball League and is one of the youngest players competing in the state's elite competition.

Her achievements were honoured last month when Hurst shared Brisbane Basketball's Junior Female Youth Player of the Year award with West Brisbane Falcons forward, Sarah Davis.

While Hurst is eyeing off a possible move to America to compete on the gruelling college basketball circuit, she wants to be recognised as more than just a solid basketball player.

“I want to go to America and get recognised by a college and get used to the roughness and skill over there,” she said.

“I want to be seen as a role model for young women, get a good education and continue to be good at basketball.

“But I'll always know where my roots are.

“This is where it all happens (Inala PCYC). This is where great sportspeople are made and I'll always remember that.”

Later this month, Hurst will line up for Brisbane at this year's Under-18 State Classics in Toowoomba and hopefully her first step towards a Queensland under-18 jersey.

• Hurst will be holding a fundraising sausage sizzle outside Woolworths at the Inala Town Centre this Saturday morning to raise money for her State Classics campaign, which tips off the next day and runs until Friday, July 3.