[Music] Hello and welcome to the Side Line Live Podcast. This is the Spotlight Her series, a collaboration with Basketball Ireland as part of their Women in Sport series supported by Sport Ireland. I'm your host, Orle Keeling and over the next six episodes we'll be diving into the journeys of six Irish female basketball players who are carving out their own paths playing college basketball in the United States. From early morning practices, balancing academics, homesickness and ambition, we'll explore what it really takes to compete at one of the highest levels of basketball. We'll uncorporate the journey and what it's like representing Ireland on the world stage. One game, one story and one season at a time. This is Spotlight Her where we celebrate the athletes, the journey and the game. [Music] Okay, delighted to be joined by Quinnipiac University's Maria Culey. Maria Haud has a girl from Dunnegall and up in the States on her college basketball scholarship. She's a great question to start. Oh God, it was a long process, I would say, but now, Jesus, I'm so grateful to be here and I'm having actually the best time. Quinnipiac has been so good to me now. The last is my third journey, so I've been loving every minute and I have found really great people. But yeah, I've met a lot of people coming from Dunnegall, a lot of people have helped me along the way. Too many people even to name, so I've been very lucky. Is basketball big in Dunnegall? It's not, but it's definitely growing. I was very lucky growing up with Letter County Blaze, the club that I grew up with. And more fantastic to me, I had coaches all the way up who were so good, like travel and up and down the country every weekend. Like, literally giving us every chance to play at AACCs, to play in B&I, to play in the Northwest League, like to play in just like, literally just get more chances to play. Yeah, they were great. I don't, that's what's definitely growing. I would say there's more clubs coming in, I think, more opportunities come, more kids are interested in that, which is great to see. You know, when I come home every summer, it is great to see more and more kids, I suppose, playing more groups. Because there is a collection now of kind of the couple is around the same age, the grippings yourself in America on scholarship. You know, people I was talking about, Jimmy's went to matches and all these, the A matches and wins and stuff. You'd be waiting all I have for another one. There is a number of years now, pursuing basketball abroad. Like that's for an area that's made traditionally not the core, because of the lemurics of the Dublin. You know, that's amazing. Definitely. And we had a great group growing up. We really did have a great team. We won under 16 AACCs division B. I think or B is that kind of remember what I was called. We really and we had the best coaches like Linda Beginnes was so good to my own mother like from a very young age helping us all along. Yeah, huge group even Shannon Conningham is another one from that Academy who who went abroad and Emma obviously he's still playing Dominican. Yeah, it's mad. It's funny. I'm killing two obviously playing in Maine who I've seen. He's played at Quinnipiac a few times and I played up in Maine. So it's cool. I had those little connections like just for that few people from that Academy. Like an hour over here. So it's funny. It's funny to see. When did the dream start for you to go abroad? Yes, I was kind of never on my radar growing up. I suppose I was playing Gaelic and come over in soccer. And then I think maybe my first Irish team. So I started under 16 AACCs and then COVID happened. So I never really got a chance to go with that. But once under 18 that I assume happened I kind of realized like I can really I can probably go far in this sport. And then under 18 years was when kind of the first thing happened. I was really yes, I can definitely do this. But even like at a younger age, like under 15 academies and bips and like little tournaments like that. I was really like thinking to myself like I can actually like America is actually I can do this. I can this is dream that I can chase. And then I obviously had a classroom model in a del Torrenten. Who was succeeded like so so well over here. And then eloent the year before me. So I really have had a great path we can pay for me, which I'm very lucky to have. Was a dream I suppose that came a little bit later like a later stage of my life. But once I realized that it was possible. I just like I just had to go for it. The opportunity came up. I have to do it. And when did those opportunities start to come in. Was it kind of six year, fifth year? Yes, so a six year. Oh, it was after under 18. Challenger. So right after COVID. And I started like watching I get my high nights together. That sort of thing. And under 18 when I was in age. So we were in Sofia Bulgaria. After that tournament really when I started going full throttle on emailing coaches and getting a template. And I was good talk to Adele quite quite often. I'd be talking to a few schools and then Quinnipiac really things that got really serious with them. Then they offered me and I took it. So yeah, I think after that tournament, which I in which I did quite well in our team. We had a really good team. I like Lishy one of my favorite teams I've ever played with. It was that was really the time when I realized that I can do it. What's the recruitment process for someone that doesn't know or maybe looking to go abroad and listening now. Give us an insight. So I'd say first of all, keep track of like little like like I suppose your highlights. It's something I never did until I got to euros. And I had to ask Tommy O'Mahney and Liam Colisey the two then made my film which was great. But once I once I got that clip and that my little highlight reel then Adele gave me like a good understanding like a what's what. Lucy Kugun actually helped me a lot too and how to email coaches and who to email. And like it's quite a sheer case of emailing whoever you can. Like looking up teams Ross teams coaches and like emailing like the recruiting coordinator and maybe two assistant coaches. And I did get quite a few replies like from assistant coaches and quite a few had quite a few calls. And that was kind of a stressful process like a coach would email you back and like they'd be celebrations in the house. And they and you'd have to go on a feast. I'm going to just kind of got got so seated where I was like oh my god I have another call. It just kind of becomes a normal thing but you just have to put yourself out there you have to be almost like I am good enough like I can play this level. I think that was that's something that's a big thing. I think for Irish people like you have to be able to say I can like I'm good enough to play that level. And then once once you do get replies chase them chase them like keep emailing keep texting. Yeah. So it's very much. Yeah. So it's very much not only you like your your building a relationship with your kind of you've to chase it as well as none of this kind of waiting around for it to happen. You kind of you got to make it happen. 100% and as you said building relationship is important. Like asking people like asking even older Irish girls who've gone through like just email them text them send them text on Instagram just like literally to get talking to people building relationships is really really important. What's it like then was there ever this moment when you started a Quinnipiac with Ella there years ago you would have been watching Adele being over there was there ever this moment where you kind of went. There's a three go. Oh so many moments. I remember the first day I walked into the gym was this she won the brightest moments like of my life. She was one of our sister coach Quinnipiac legend she picked me up in the airport and she we got they got the arena don't drop off the bags and get sorted my locker and stuff. But I remember I literally opened the door to the arena. I was like this is so surreal like I cannot believe I'm here and like I did get a little bit like Terry. I like this is like wow. Because you know obviously such like so many years of like in the gym all the time and it really does like the hard work does pay off. I suppose in that moment it was the first time I really felt it. But even with Ella first time I moved into my dorm and I think I'd been there a week because I had like first year orientation or whatever then Ella came over so the first time Ella got there like we just like ran to each other. I've been so so lucky with Ella she's actually been like a big sister to me here and I'm living with her this year as she but she is just the best lover. So you can't get rid of each other now you're living and playing and everything. Exactly. I know you just wouldn't want to get rid of Ella she's the best. It's because that's one of the great things about all these Irish players going abroad is you know the vast majority of different states and colleges and levels. It's such a cool thing to have two girls at the same college never mind the whole piece around the album in there and I was given out to him for spatula was there in the mid noties as well. So but I got sat like having another girl there it's like that just gets it on a different level they get where you've come from the challenges and they understand your accent the most importantly. So true well actually people keep thinking I'm more American than Ella but no it's been great like just like not even I don't want to say normality. But you know if you're having like a moment is just things get too much or because they're definitely are very much moments where like this is too much like too much like the luck one on. And to have someone like Ella there just to realize just like bringing back down to earth is supposed even yesterday me and Ella were talking about what we have in our lunch box summer school like little things like that you wouldn't be able to have a conversation with anyone else about.
But actually at our school, there was four Irish girls here last year. Um, five actually, there was four in the rugby team and one on the soccer team. So it's funny that actually, there are a bunch of Irish people around. It's, it's mad. Like, you wouldn't think it like you just bumped into someone. They say, oh yeah, from the flick. It's so, so random. But it's great. Like, I love making those little connections and meeting people from home and it is great. Yeah. Do you, is there a good Irish community in the scale? Like, is there kind of, I know some colleges have G 18s or kind of societies? Is there kind of, or you just find each other like magnets? You do exactly find each other like magnets. This is a good way to say it. I'm, I'm, I'm actually, I'm taking a class right now called Irish studies, which I'm having a great time in. But my teacher is very Irish and we have great crack. Like, we'd be chatting about the most random things after class and she's been so lovely to me. Um, but me and Ella went to an Irish festival last night, down in Milford, so it was like half an hour away. Um, so like little pockets like that of Irish people, there's an Irish pub in New Haven. The owner's been very good to us and he always has a curly, or a whisper ready for us like after a night. So he's just like little things like that. Really just, it's so, like, meaningful and really does make your heart fall. So, so they, they're, what's all your studies? Oh, very interesting. So last class we talked about Irish myths and legends and I could call in and children of the year. Actually, I'm learning a lot myself. Um, everyone else in the class is like 50% Irish and 60% Irish and it's a good crack. And the girls that beside me is that like she runs the Irish Dancing Club. So we're thinking about joining the Irish Dancing Club. Um, so it's funny. It's good crack like. That's class. I didn't know that was actually a thing you could take. So that's, that's pretty good. Um, it's the reality of it, you know, and unconscious that I, I'm more than other players going abroad, but it's challenging. There's different challenges. You have all someone said to me before it's more about emigrating, not actually about sport, but when you have the challenges, it's the same challenges, but you're actually tens of kilometers away from home when you get injured when you're not playing. It gave us an insight into the challenges that you do face. Yes, and you definitely do face them. Um, I think it's, I think it's even though I am so far from home, I suppose it's the same if I was in college in Ireland. I'm still far from home. It's not something you can run home any every weekend. Um, you just have to find ways of getting around your challenges and just getting through it. Um, and just living like, I think a big thing for me is I just live day to day. Like just like, what's in the end of it today? What are I going on? Keeping busy, keeping meeting friends? Like, that's a big thing for me. Um, but yeah, last year or two years go ahead of had a bad injury. And that was tough and not playing. Then last year I played a lot less than I did my first year. So definitely have faced a lot of challenges, but it's a case of, um, just keep enjoying, I keep enjoying who I am and who I'm with. Um, and find little things to do. Um, I think that's really important, especially when you're, I suppose, so far from home. Um, and then like your family's only a face time call away or your friends, like just getting a ring and you get the whole way to catch up and then that sets you off for like another week, you know, so, um, I've been very lucky now with my friends and the people who are on me, so I've never had a, at a moment of, of worry, like because I am supportive and great people. You're very mature in that answer, but I really get the sense that you're quite quite, maybe separating the ball spoke air and Maria as the person. Definitely. I think that's really important. We actually, I kind of, like, they've great, like we get guest speakers and then all the time and they, they have some, a big message they always bring in is who are you away from your sport? Because once you're done playing basketball or once you're done playing whatever sports you're doing, like you have a whole life ahead of you, like just knowing who you are, like, like having, like little things that are important to you and little things that you do on the side, away from your sport is so, so important. Um, even though I love basketball and like I love coming down to the gym and to practice every morning. Um, like after practice, like there's a whole, you have a whole day to kill, like there's class, like I'm taking Irish studies, which I'm loving. Um, or actually I'm really loving my major science and my teachers, my professors are so good, like just they really are, they care about you a lot. Um, so I've been very lucky in that sense too. Um, but yeah, I think that is really important, like knowing who you are away from basketball. I think that's something I kind of embrace a lot since come to America too. Speaking of practice, what's the schedule like? I know you're kind of coming into the season now, everything's ramping up. Yes, there are. So we've been in eight hour weeks, the past, uh, since summer, I suppose. So our 20 hour weeks start now next week. So we train, we'll be on court for like two and a half hours every day and we'll live for half an hour just twice a week going forward. Um, so it's basketball definitely ramps up and like the strength conditioning kind of ramps down, um, as things get heavier and things get going. Um, which is good. I'm excited for it because basketball's only been an hour, like the last few weeks, like an hour a day for three days a week. So more time and core is good. I just like getting, getting into the thick of things. And we have our first exhibition game on, I think the 20th of October, the 25th of October, something like that. We play Holy Cross. Um, so yes, very, actually very soon to let first, um, game. So I'm excited for it. Give us an insight for those that don't know about the eight hour and the 20 hour. There is a ruling that it's journey allowed to a certain point, but before a certain, not date in the season. Yes, it's so, 20th of September, I suppose, or 19th. Um, so eight hour weeks, it means we only are allowed eight hours with coaches, like with coaches, like on court or in the gym. So at our school, we do three hours of basketball on five hours of SNC. So five days a week, we lift for an hour and we condition like three to four days a week and then on basketball, uh, on the course for three days for an hour. So that's, was it to hold somewhere long to Saturdays and Sundays off, which was lovely. Um, and since we got back to school until yesterday. So then Monday, and that's across the whole NCAA women's, it starts 20 hour a week now. So it's up to your school how you want to split it up. So we just do conditioning twice a week for 30 minutes, going forward and then basketball is the rest of the time. And what happens in it when you're in the 20 hour week now, talks to your practice, like if it's as, like, tell us what time it's at, what time you arrive, what you do before and during. So we have a great practice block. It's eight to 12 hours, which is the class for them. We have class, like classes the rest of the day. Um, so I know I'm going to get down here by two hours an hour and a half before things start. Um, so we'll, we'll be on court first. Um, so like, perhaps could start at nine. So we get our ankles taped and we get like all, I have a lot of rehab to do since my back and that's something I maintain doing. It's good. I'm in a good routine. Um, so I might come down at seven o'clock in the morning, shoot for 30 to 20 to 30 minutes, just to warm up, get going. I go in and do my rehab, get my ankles taped. Uh, and then I come out on court and like everyone's dribbling into courts and bits. And that's maybe 50 to 20 minutes before practice starts. Uh, and then we stretch. We practice for two, two and a half hours. Um, and practice kind of depends like in season, maybe an hour could be devoted to like scout, film and scout of who we're playing the next day. Um, but right now, obviously we're not playing in a game. So it's going to be a lot of playing a lot of up and down, a lot of breakdown. Like half court stuff. So like the next few weeks will be very intense. It's like the most intense, like we have about three weeks of like tough basketball and then things kind of slow down a bit until we start playing people. So practices will be a bit slower. Um, so yeah, two and a half hours of basketball and then 30 minutes of the gym and the gym is just like less load more like, um, just like quick movements and just two sets, two sets of two sets, like, um, a lot less. And then you can obviously do your own, our strength conditioning coach is literally one of the best in the whole of college basketball, the whole whole of college sports, uh, Bruce Jesper tell he's been absolutely fantastic. And we've been so lucky to have him. So I go in always to get little things, little extra things with him. So a group of us have been doing extra speed works the past few weeks. Um, so that's being good craft. Like just a little things like that and just keep enjoying it. Um, yeah, amazing. Is it as you see these bills on Instagram of college with pretty college football, you know, and there's like 80 them in the weight room? Is it so, is it regimented from the whistle? Like you stretch the same time and all that stuff. Um, stretch, uh, definitely not a whistle. I know some schools do do the whistle because they come and they do your warm-ups like if we play them and the whistle comes out and like, what's going on with the whistle legs for deciless? Um, but yeah, we do it. We have a good routine and it's lovely like like if we're doing whatever certain exercise, it always right firm left hand and you kind of get into routine of what's normal and what's, um, it's good like and you kind of buy it and it's not for each other. But we have a lovely weight room here. Uh, and it's nice that we only have a small team like 13 people. Whereas like we see the, we train with ice hockey, men's and women's ice hockey is also in our facility and they have like, I don't know, 25, 30 plus people. So they kind of come in in two groups of people. So it's funny like I really enjoy our small team and it's lovely that we're all in there together and I help each other along because that's the other thing. Like in terms of you were saying, I help you join along, but also like showing up an hour or half or two hours before you're practiced. Like is that someone showing you the ropes or is that like, how does that come about? Um, I suppose freshman year there's a girl her name was Raven. She was always in in the morning shooting and it's something I would do. I would kind of not that I'm like, I just held a little bit stress that I'm going to be late for practices in my biggest fear in this world, like sleeping through my alarm. Not that it's ever happened, but um, I just like, everyone is here early. Like that is a big thing. Um, and like we have a rule like you have to be in 30 minutes before practice or before tape time or whatever. Um, so it's good like to have those standards, but even that before that like everyone's in a
at least an hour or four, which is great. We all eat our breakfast here. We just kind of catch up. And Coach Hibery is a great rule. We don't bring our phones. We leave all our phones in Coach's office. So it's nice actually just like, actually get away from your phone and just not even have it on you and just actually chat to the people around you and chat to the girls and get to know them better. - It's amazing isn't it? 'Cause you compare baby grown up in Ireland, and things you believe, like your trains at seven, you're probably not on the court till seven 'cause someone's in before you, you know compare what it's like there. I know you played Super League, you played National League, Irish teams. They compare the level of preparation and training. So what you've seen in Ireland. - I like, there's nothing like it. And that's what I always say. Like I'll never have this chance to get in which like my team is in every single morning training together six days a week. Yeah at home I was very like, I got to play Super League at Ulcer University in Belfast. But even I was doing my leave-insert that year. So I don't only get to train them once a week. So it'll be a two hour drive up training for an hour and a half, two hours and then two hour drive home. And like I'd be doing my strike picture in the car. Like, oh is that, and I don't think that. And then the games we'd have a game in the weekend. I love playing Super League 'cause I got to play it at a level much higher than I had been before I went to America. And then I also played with Northwest, Team Northwest and Donnie Hall and National League. But you'd be training twice a week. I suppose it's normal now for a Super League and National League. But you'd be training twice a week for an hour, two hours. You come in maybe 10 to 15 minutes before training, do a quick stretch, and that's you. So it is a different mindset. Yeah, totally different mindset. Or even girls will be coming from football training and going in or coming, like they'd have four other trainings throughout the week, which just doesn't happen here. Like basketball is what it is for us. Yeah, it's great. Like for the whole team to be so bot-in, coaches to be so bot-in, it's class. So how did you get to the level you're up in Ireland when we have limited court access and limited time? Where did you get that extra reps in at the extra time? Yeah, I was very lucky, grown up. Obviously with Letter County Blaze, I had a really, really, really great coach who's grown up and then Loretto Letter County convinced we're going to secondary school. I also used the gym in there before school, which was great. But I was very lucky in that my family members had three great siblings and my mom and dad who would come in before school. Like in fourth year, fifth year, sixth year, ish, I would go down to our local leisure center and we'd shoot before school and then go up to school. Like, the someone would always be with me. Around the weekends, someone would always be with me re-binding and I'd definitely ask gonna be a painter and I have to pay them a few euro, but they'd always be in, they'd be playing one-on-one after I do my reps. They'd make a shoot a few free throws. My siblings and my family were so, so good. My cousins were in re-binding for me a few times. And then I always think back to COVID was one of the best times because my family, my dad, like built us with like a mini basketball court outside. So we, there's three boys and three girls in my family. So we played three on three until like someone died every single night, like there'd be killings going on. And like that was just the best. And I'd wish she saw my favorite memories was during COVID. And I'd be outside, I had a program. I was under 18, I was 18 at that point. And I was given a great program by Tommy O'Mahney Carol, right, and Liam. And every single day, I'd be out doing my workouts and tracking reps. And I'd have like a massive folder of pages, upon pages of, and tracking everything. And that was someone like tracking what you're doing is really important. Because like when I go home now in the summer, I have books upon books of like what I did this summer, like what reps like this day, who was re-binding for me? And it's so nice to look back. 'Cause like there's a reason I'm here, like there's a reason I'm playing at this level is because I did put in the work and I was so lucky that so many people help me and so many people supporting me. And it really has, like I am here for a reason. So it's so nice to see then. - It's amazing. It's a great conference piece as well. Not only are you tracking it, I heard a great line around sport and practicing. It's like, it's actually a simple mass equation. The more you do, the better you're gonna get. But it's a good thing as well that you can look back and what it's nice to look back now. But it's also from a conference point of view when you're building it's like, right, I can do this. Like I've put the level of training. Definitely. Oh my god, yeah. And it's heard another person is Andrew McGeefer who's so good to me and Eamie gave her a grownup. But yeah, literally exactly that. Like kind of your reps and knowing, seeing like this is, this is like, quite literally like I don't know, the proofs in the pod and I don't know if that's a phrase. But I suppose that's what it is. Like really just, it has, it's great. And that's something for younger kids, something I so recommend. Like just keep it, get a little hardbacked book or get a binder, get something and just write down what you're doing. Have a plan. That's something going into your session. Don't just like show up at the gym and say, wow, what am I gonna do today? Like on Sunday night plan your sessions for the week. And something I think, tell me, my money probably taught me, like keep track of what you're doing because like, or choose one thing you're gonna do this week and do it the next three weeks. And if you don't see any benefits, like change, you have to change something, you have to, something has to change. Or find a new skill. Like I used to just be on YouTube or find things in Instagram. And like I would just do it and I would pass it. Everything I'm doing for a week. And then I'd come back to it and get it in two weeks. But just being able to flick back and forward in the book, it really, really does help. - I know I was stagging you when we were chatting and Dublin, but who did, how did you get your sham god as good as you have us? - Oh God, I have to give that to Tommy, I'm out of the team. She's a click any camp. That's another click any camp, shooting hoops camp. I did it maybe five or six years. And I met like some of the best girls there. Some of my favorite memories from there too. But my granny just lives like 10 minutes out the road from Cookeany. So I used to stay with her and come in in the mornings. And that camp Tommy taught me the sham god. And there was a Spanish coach there and I've never seen her, never met her since. Her name was Alba. She was so rich. She would teach me like a new move every day. Or like she'd come out at lunchtime and like teach me something new. And I used to have such good crack and that real is the tie. And that she was really saying to me like, you're good like you can get better. And I think I was like 13 or 14 at the time. Like just a little people like that looking back and like, oh my God, just class, such good people. - In terms of the individual practice, even now in college, uneven like the importance of individual creativity because obviously when you go to your team sessions you'll do your certain things, Bush. Do you still have time now to work on things like the sham god and all these other creative pieces? - Definitely, definitely. I always find a little work. I find a little video. A post on my Instagram is one of my favorite places to go to where Hillary Nets is another one. And I just see a move that I've never seen before. And like I'm like, I'm definitely doing that today. And as you say practice, I suppose at this level, it is like regimented is routine, but like still be yourself. I don't change who you are. I don't change what you're doing like based on coaches or like you know, still be yourself. And that's something I think I struggled with. And Irish team's growing up I was like more focused on what I need to do, what I need. Instead of just being me and like seeing like how I can fit into this system. But yeah, I love like sham gods going strong, be practicing it all the time. Little moves like that, I definitely love finding and love practicing. - Love us. Was there ever a point where you didn't think what happened or for example setbacks with maybe an Irish team, you know, you're progressing to the senior ranks and stuff like that? Was there ever a point where you doubted that you would be at the level that you're at now? - Definitely. I say COVID, my first year under 16, so I was a year young under 16 Irish teams. I was caught, I didn't make it. And that was, I find that really tough. But also I had never been around the environment, I'd never been around the process. So I didn't really know what it was. I was missing or anything like that. So in the next year I was going for under 16 in age, COVID happened. So the first time, I think I made the final 12 or the final 15 and then COVID happened. When you're supposed to go to a tournament, I think it was Scotland a week before the announcement that it was going to start for nine for two weeks. But at that point I was like, like this is never going to happen. Like I'm never going to play for Ireland. I really didn't think it was going to happen. And then obviously COVID kind of changed things. I really just, I did not stop working. I was out of sight every single day. And then after COVID, like those challenges, the under 18 European challengers, I was part of. And that was that was the first time I wore an Air Star Z and I was really a moment. I was like, wow, I didn't think I would get to this point ever. So it was that was that COVID was definitely, I'd say a tough time. In terms of pursuing basketball and, and you know, it's been practicing for a school and doing things that typically your friends that aren't into the basketball in particular, aren't redoing. How did you find out where you're chasing your dream, your goals and it's a little bit different to everybody else? - That's a great question. And that's very true. And I think I was, I played a played soccer in Komogi and Gaelic up to like maybe 14, 15 years old or even like I'd miss a few trains, but I'd still play the games or Gaelic. And I loved playing those different sports. And I'd love the mix up. But then when I got to a point where I was shooting on my own all the time, like, so it was maybe 13 or 14 when I actually started going down to our leisure center again in the gym, like before training after training, really shooting on my own. And like, just figuring it out. Because I think my mom was one and probably one of the biggest people that taught me just like, you have spit in the work, like and things will, things will go good for you. But yeah, before school, like I really, like anyone really knew around me that I was had
worked out in the morning and I never told anyone because I didn't, there's no need. But yeah, I don't know, it just was the way I had grown up. Like my brothers and my sister who played a lot of football in Berlin, like they'd go down and shoot in a Donald Parker local football park, but they'd be going down and shooting on all the time and it was just normal for me to go and do basketball for them to go to do that. And I suppose it was just in our family that sort of tradition of what we did. So I was very lucky and that was the setting I grew up in. And what's the, are you like locally in an evening school where you know, and it's just all Maria the basketballer and like it was that just, oh, she's just off playing basketball, she's just going to America. Is that what you're known as? Ah, like in let it go, it's just so not normal. It's normal now because killing an MR also over. But like even whenever I think I committed to basketball, I was like, oh, she's great. Well done. Like no one really realized. And I think like how we kind of how are you getting on sort of thing as a girl well for you. Exactly. And I've such good support and people just were so good to me along and like my cousins were always so like they all become like to my aims. And I think probably because of Irish teams and things people realize like she is doing well and like my school, my secondary school and my club like they were always so good to cover. And if I was playing for Ireland, there'd be a hundred posts up and Maria's playing at this time. There's a game on this time that people come into the games or like there's a game on a national basketball arena when I was under 18. And they might be people from the club coming from Dunning Hall with it is a big trip. And just like, oh my god, it's so meaningful. I just still want my right. Um, yeah. You know, amazing. Has there been any Dunning Hall jerseys spotted in Quinnipiac? Yeah. Oh my god, a weirdest thing last year I've sitting in the calf with there was a group of us sitting there. And this fellow walks past the window in a Dunning Hall jerseys. It was the weird, had to run after after literally like that. And this fella, he was like, oh yeah, my family are from there. I mean, wearing this lovely white Dunning Hall jerseys, like, you know, I'm so lovely. And I was like, you don't understand. It's so weird you're wearing this. Um, so funny. But, um, yeah, my Dunning Hall jerseys, I'd be wearing it all the time. Um, I'm going to be back. Dunning Hall for Sam 26. You heard it in the first moment. Lama, you know, you've two years left. What's the goal to finish out college basketball? You know, what you want to achieve over the next two seasons? Yeah, great question. I think the first, first and foremost, we want to win the Mac to Amid Ship. It's something that hasn't been done at Quinnipiac in like, since Adele was here, I suppose. Um, but we were very close last year, but I, as a team, we'd really do believe like we can do it. Um, so that's number one, like, to play in NCAA tournament. And I don't think it's something I'll, I'll actually truly understand until I leave college, I suppose, but it's something I'm never going to get the chance to do again. So we're all just, I got in to get that, like, to play in NCAA tournament to be able to fly somewhere to play. Um, that's something we would just love to do. And then personally, um, yeah, I definitely have goals and that's a big thing. Setting goals is big for me. Um, and just like having little standards for myself and don't not let in the year go past. Um, so yeah. Yep. I'm excited to come wait. Right. So the other thing I know is on your profile as a rent, you were made the Mac all academic team. How are you finding balance and books as well as the other studies on the basketball? Um, yeah. Um, yeah, we, we have a great team around us like we have an academic advisor. We all have our own like advisor with our, with our major. Um, so like the academic support, like never stops and that's something that's really important because you have to maintain a certain thing. Um, a certain average, I should say, but it's good. Like even as a break from basketball, like once practices done and like, like, you know, it does become a lot in the season because you're there every single day. You haven't classed to sit beside someone who has no idea that you were just training for three hours and that you're feeling like death. Like, and just chance them about like whatever anything and like, it's just, it really is so nice to get that break. And I've had fantastic teachers, um, who've been so good to me and have given me great opportunities. Um, and like I love making those little like connections with teachers and with other people in the class who are just about like, I'm really, my major's health science. And I'm really, really enjoying it, hoping to do occupational therapy, I think is my goal now. So just like even figuring that out in the last two years has been, has been really fun and figuring out what's for me and what's enough for me. Is it, is professional basketball something that you'd like to maybe consider down the line at some point? Definitely. Um, like once again, if that opportunity comes up, I'd love to chase it. Um, it's something I haven't even been thinking about yet because I, I'm really am focusing on these two years and not letting things go past and like being in the moon, being present. Um, but yeah, I'd love to, I love that. Love the mentality. What's the biggest strength or progression you've seen your game since going to America? Um, I think confidence in myself, um, I think that's something that's so big for Irish people. Like, Irish people are so like, ah, stop. Like, I wouldn't do that. I'm just putting like literally not taking compliments and not taking anything. And when you cut your America, like it is cut through, like you have to, you have to say, no, I am good enough to be here and it took me a long time to figure that I had to realize that I have to actually stand up for myself because otherwise people are going to walk all over me. Um, so yeah, being confident in myself, just like figuring out, no, I deserve to be here. And, um, and then also like getting stronger. I, I, I was very lucky growing up. I was, I did like a young athlete, strength classes with Tommy Gallagher and with Avril McNamy. And then I was out with spear, Adam spear, um, and Gary, but geez, like getting stronger and really getting basketball fit was something that really changed in the last three years. I've said, I say, again, what's your favorite kind of memory in America around Irish basketball, whether it's meeting or paying against another Irish person? Oh, geez, that's a quick question. Or even just watching your supporting just anything that comes to mind. Yes. Um, I mean, there have been loads of times when I'm like, I'm here and like, I'd be watching, like, I'd be watching the world championships like the past week and like Kira Karner who just has, oh, really amazing. And it's just like watching things like that and like the sense of Irish pride is through the roof. Um, but even like everyone, all the girls would be coming in and I'd be like, Irish person this, get over here, 1500 meters, get in and like read all the cheer on like whoever is here, say really. So it's funny, just things like that or like my brothers would be playing like a game, like a, they'd be playing the championship and like, there'd be a few girls around like, come on. Like my brothers would play and like, they'd be watching the sport and they'd have no idea what's going on. And then anytime, like me and Ella are playing together, it's just like, this is so cool. Like so cool for us to be here. If we play at this level for us both to come like so far from Ireland, like it really is. And after a pretty city more sometimes like, this is so cool. We're here and yeah, this really is good. Amazing. What's the, what's the reaction to Gated football when the Americans watch us? Like explain the first few rules and then that's it. They kind of get quiet because it gets to a point where I can't explain anymore. Um, but my dad sent out hurls. My dad's from Cookeany so he sent out hurls. So I have two hurls. I say about seven. So here's like every one I wake up, there's a slither somehow in my room. I don't know where they come from. So I feel like you people like to poke an over and back and learning the rules of hurling. So it's funny, like to share things like that. It is nice and it's nice to have that like bit about you. And like it does, it's so funny. Like seeing the Americans like figuring out. So it's, it's nice. Yeah. Outside of family and friends or people, what's the biggest thing you miss about Ireland? Oh, she's coffee. Haspied number one. Like just going down to coffee shop. Coffee in America, huh? Oh my god, no, it's like butter, scotch syrup on ice, latte and this $27. It's ridiculous. God, I miss a good hot coffee and I miss like a brownie. Like that's all I'm asking for. But I'm finding new places. I am really discovering more things. So yeah. We're going to do that. Yeah, that's so I wouldn't have expected brownies on hot coffee. I'm brilliant. We're going to move on to the slide line seven. It's the same seven questions at the end of the episode. Question one, what's your favorite quote? Okay, so this was actually hard. There's a half fair few. My first one is work, work hard, work harder. And I don't know if it's actually called my dad. He probably made it up. Every time we'd be going playing a movie match, he would just say it in the car before he'd say it in the change room. And we almost like laughed at it growing up like dad, like stop. Yes, ridiculous. Like you're really, it kind of, it's something that is actually very meaningful to me now. And then the other one is control the controls. I think especially when you get to this level, that's actually so. It's so important. Like you can't control what anyone else is thinking you can't control what's going to happen next, but you can't control who you are, like your effort, what you put into it. So I think that's something that's really important when you get to this level or even growing up is really important. Yeah, amazing. Love that question too. Best sporting event you've been to pick one as a fan, one as a player. And they will this summer at the Dunning Golf, you carry all Ireland, which was last obviously didn't go in our favor. That's okay. But I mean to a fair few all Ireland finals like Kalkani, Herland finals, which were class environments. And then sorry, also another one, Caitlin Clark, I watched her first, I was at her first WMBA games. That was class in it was in Rio. Yeah, it was in the Mohican sun against Connecticut sun. And I was somehow ended up in like the Connecticut sun, like super fun area. So it was class like I was a great atmosphere. And as a player, I was like, I'm going to be a player.
There have been a fair few European's championship where we've been playing the host country. I remember under 18 we played against Romania and that atmosphere was unbelievable. Or even like, I couldn't be out there, there have been countless games where it's like really being like, wow, this is amazing, this is so cool that I'm here. Speaking of Kate and Claire, actually, how, and I'm only speaking about the Irish Times in New York, they were about six months late compared to all the hype that she had in America, but anyway, they didn't manage to go. What's the, when you go home now, is there a better understanding because of Kate and because of you and Ella and all these Irish people as well that are playing, when you come back, the people that don't renew basketball kind of have a concept of what you're doing. Definitely. I don't know how, the way she's grown the game has been unbelievable. Like everyone knows, like people were like, oh, do you know Kate? Like, like, like, people who don't know anything about basketball, like, obviously, I don't know Kate and Claire, but for even them to be asking, and I just haven't understand anything of where I am and where I am playing mids class. And like people even like getting the links to the games and like, oh, because it's hard to get the links to the games here, like for Ireland, but as class, like, it really, really has grown and people have a great understanding of it, which is great. Yeah. Right. It's question three, biggest step back of challenge so far in your career. And how did you react to us? Freshman year, near the end of the season, I had a stress fracture in my back. That was definitely tough. I was out maybe five or six months, I think, and I was like a case of just like, no, I couldn't even do rehab because it was my back. So that was definitely a tough time. But like once again, like finding out who I was, I said, a basketball was really important at that time. And like Becky Miller, our 80 is like literally my hero and she was so, so good to me at that time. And in COVID, I think it was a big set for a lot of people. But I think I like COVID, I absolutely thrived in COVID. I had the best time. Like lockdown opened on EGOL was absolutely fantastic. And I think I really, really like changed as a basketball player during that time. So say those two amazing, well, it shows control, the control, those are just probably became twice the prior that you were going into lockdown. Definitely, definitely. Amazing. And you're on the fifth side then, your biggest achievement on or off the court. I think the first time where Nair Sturzy, like here in the national anthem was like a moment I will never forget. It was at the European challengers. It was just what a moment. And then a big achievement for me was leading not your 18-year-olds in assists. That was a big division B, but that was a big thing for me. And then I already mentioned it, but the first time I walked into the gym here was like, like I was so proud of myself. And that's not normally something I say, but I really was so proud to be there and so proud to walk into this gym and say, I deserve to be here, I suppose. Amazing. I love them and totally shift as well. Because we're terrible Nair, we're so self-deprecating. So you go to America, it's not. And you really have to, like I have to wise up here, like it's something I never even thought would be a thing. So yeah, that's very true. Mentality change. You're still in your early 20s, so it's not really a big big question for you, maybe, but advice your 18-year-old self, what would you say to a young Rhea? I would say ask more questions, like a tight end to that is like, don't be afraid to embarrass yourself or don't be afraid to fail. And like ask questions to anybody and everybody who's like willing to teach or who's willing to learn. We're very lucky always in that academy, we had victory scholars, like Americans who would come over and like they'd play for Team Northwest, that both the boys team and the girls team. And I used to just latch onto those Americans, like I was 12 or 13, I beat it in the morning shooting with them. And I just used to ask them a million questions, I'd say they were so fed up with me, but that's the sole important, I think, for younger kids. Just ask questions, like your teachers, your family members, like coaches, just ask, ask, and just like learn, and like soak all in. And yeah, don't be afraid. Don't be afraid to stand up, like use your voice, even if you have a wobbly voice, ask your question. Love us. A question, say extreme dinner guests on why and you can have a dinner party if you want. Okay, then, because I had such a long list. Um, I think Maria Sharpova and my comorfe and Jim McGuinness, they're my, I think my bigger, biggest three, my comorfe, love him, like literally the best. Let's play a ball time, I stand by it. Jim McGuinness, obviously, like mastermind of everything he does, I think he's amazing. And then Maria Sharpova, I would love to hear her journey of tennis. She's actually my name's Jake, so it's funny, so I kind of always had this, like I was born the day she won Wimbledon, so that's why I was called Maria, so random. Like I just love her store and I love watching her grown up. And then I do have two more body of a last stroke from cake boss. No, if you ask me, oh, I love cake boss. Yeah. Oh my god. Body of a last stroke. I love him. I'd loved to hear by his process. I was just at the original Cardo's bakery there a few weeks ago. It was amazing. I didn't see body now. And Mary Berry. Okay. That's it. Okay. Have you ever meshed Maria Sharpova? I feel like you need to meet her. I would love to. I have never met her. I need to like, my goal in life is go to Wimbledon. Obviously Maria Bovolum will be our Wimbledon. I would love to go to Wimbledon. That is actionable. Well, the ballad only closed yesterday. I actually put him for the ballad when myself, my friends. So I'm praying. I pray and I got his best luck. Have you been with him? I actually went to, I might just leave this in. I know what's the best of it. I went to tennis. I actually went to, I tried to enter the ballad for last year, but didn't get it. So we ended up going to the pre qualifiers. So they do this qualifying round in a tennis club down the road from Wimbledon. Loved it. There was no big names. It was the best tennis I'll ever see in my lifetime. Yes. On this I get to go to Wimbledon, which I'm still waiting to do. And then we didn't get to Wimbledon at the time of that visit. It was actually, I went to day before and my friends then flew over like 6 a.m. This is Tuesday and then flew home. We all flew on that night. So it was a real quick thing. Oh, wow. But then I went in October last year and loved it. And it was actually amazing being there in October because like all the devs around the place were turning red and stuff and it was just, this amazing place. So fingers crossed. If I'm a spare ticket, I'll bring it. Oh my God. Let me know. I'll be there. Final question for you next year. Maria, if you're alive with a book, watch out for this be called. Very tough question by the way. I would say some sort of lurk from the climb by Miley Cyrus. So I just like, what a song for a small money. But just like there is always going to be another mountain. Yeah, just like keeping your head down, like just being quiet about what you're doing is I think is really important to me. Like, you do it in the dark and then you reap the rewards like, you know, in front of front of others, but keep your head down, keep working. So yeah, something along those lines, I don't know. Lovis, yeah, you've had it into another quote. I feel like you're a good quote to it. It's like what you do in the dark would reveal itself in the light. That's someone said that on the podcast before. Oh, well, I don't know what it was. Maria, if there's any young girl or boy, whoever or parent coach, somebody listening that wants to reach out and ask more questions about going to America to play college, basketball, where can they reach it? My Instagram, like, send me any message or send me an email. Maria, Kelly,
[email protected]. I'd love to help anyone coming up. I'd love to ask her any questions getting a zoom. No bother. Amazing. Maria, I love this special look with the season. And yeah, thanks so much. Thank you so much, Rulach.
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