Off season well spent
Courtney Woods lights it up from the back of the court and she filled an important role in the JCU Fire’s front office during the off season. When an administration position became available, the 25 year old jumped at the chance to put her master’s degree in sports management, to good use.
“I grew up wanting to be a physiotherapist then I did my knee and I did eight months of physiotherapy and I was I like never want to do that again. So then I thought about it and I said to myself what do I love, well I love basketball. I didn’t want to coach, didn’t really think I had a coaching brain, so I thought the next kind of thing I think I’d be good at is administration and then the opportunity arose, so I was kind of just in the right place at the right time.”
The guard thrived working with local businesses to strengthen the club’s partnerships in the community and create new relationships.
“I really enjoyed working with the sponsors and just going out and meeting people, they all love the team so it was great to not only interact with them as a player but also as an administrator and connect with them on another level.”
While Woods was focused on the game in the opening round, the sharp shooter did take a sneak peek at what was happening in the cooperate area. And she was pleased to see things running smoothly.
“I talked to Mater Hospital a little bit during the off season and I kind of set up their game day sponsorship which was kind of cool. So I told all the girls I organised it, but no I didn’t really, our General Manager Sam pretty much did everything, I just helped.”
Townsville’s top job is safe for now with Woods continuing to observe how various aspects of the club function.
“We’re very lucky to be the only professional female sports organisation Townsville, and the JCU Fire is a very successful organisation.”
Ensuring success on the court, will remain her major focus for the foreseeable future.
“I want to play as long as I can obviously, but then stay involved in the league as much as possible, so my goal is I guess to expand in the WNBL and grow it as much as possible.”