Week 7: Caitlyn Biondi-Howarth Basketball

ls:  We have had a couple of weeks off to get images ready for the Queensland APPA’s. Images taken during this project have been submitted to the competition so we will see how it all goes. We are hoping to get a good result this year, but it will give us a guide as to how the images are shaping. We will continue to try to improve our images as the project continues.

This week we have Caitlyn Biondi-Howarth from the Cannons Basketball club. I first came across Caitlyn about 3 years ago at the Queensland State under 16 Basketball Championships that were held in Townsville. She continues to make representative sides while being in the Cannon’s A team. She is also putting back into the sport by coaching at Cannons.

What sports do you play?

cbh: Basketball

ls: What clubs do you currently play for?

cbh: Cannons.

ls: What position do you play?

cbh: Guard.

ls: How many years have you been playing?

cbh: 7 years.

ls: Who is your sporting hero?

cbh: Renae Camino (current Opals member)

Ls: How did you get involved in these sports?

cbh: Watching the WNBL inspired me to want to get involved.

ls: On that answer, there is an obvious improvement in participation when sports are shown on free to air TV. As proof look at how rugby, football and basketball have struggled in this country while only receiving coverage on pay TV. What rep honours have you achieved?

cbh: U14, U16, U18 Townsville Flames, U16 & U18 QLD North.

Ls: How much time is involved?

cbh: nearly every day.

Ls: What is the best part of playing the sport?

cbh: Being in a team playing with some of your closest friends.

ls: What is your favourite event?

cbh: U18 National Championships, winning gold for the first time in QLD North history.

ls: What is your biggest accomplishment in your sports?

cbh: Representing QLD and winning the national championships.

ls: What one or two things do you currently do in your training that are keys to your success?

cbh: Working on my shooting technique.

ls: What would be your ultimate achievement?

cbh: Representing Australia and making the WNBL.

ls: How do you set your goals?

cbh: Physically and mentally

ls: What is the best advice you have been given?

cbh: Keep proving everyone wrong

ls: I like that. Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by?

cbh: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” – Philipians 4:13

ls: Where do you draw your inspiration from?  

cbh: The players I look up to, to strive to be as good as or even better than them.

ls: What do you like to do in your free time away from your sport?

cbh: Take my dog to the beach.

ls: Do you have any pre-match routines?

cbh: Eating bananas and listening to music.

ls: Thanks Caitlyn, We’ll have to do another shoot in your Aussie gear when you make the Australian Opals.

ls: A few quick questions for Jamie to get the parents point of view. Wondering how much time and driving is involved with travel and training?

jh: None now she has her licence.

ls: Are there limitations on the number of sports that Caitlyn can play?

jh: No only if time and priorities allow it.

ls: Are there benefits to them playing different sports?

jh: Yes to learn more skills

ls: Are there difficulties in getting them to the sport and in getting them to practice and train?

jh: Yes keeping them motivated is the challenge.

ls: Do you enjoy going to the game?

jh: Very much

ls: What costs are involved in sport?

jh: You don’t save much when you are continually paying for club, rep and state sport.

ls: Thanks for your time.