Olympic coverage to open avenues for junior athletes to realise dreams

The importance of Queensland hosting the 2032 Olympic Games is not lost on Meteors coach Joel Khalu, who hopes future Australian stars rise from Mackay’s programs.

Mackay Meteors coach Joel Khalu is close friends with Boomer legend Patty Mills. Picture: Aidan Cureton

There may be a future Olympic basketballer crafting their skills in Mackay’s backyards right now.

Meteors head coach Joel Khalu, who has coached elite basketball on the world stage, is hopeful the region can continue to produce Olympic-level talent approaching the South East Queensland games in 2032.

“We could have a future Olympian here playing junior basketball right now, and for them to be able to see that as it gets closer is great for Australian sport,” Khalu said.

“Any time you get the Olympics in Australia, the flow-on effects from that is going to be massive, not only for Brisbane but also the regional communities.”

Mackay basketball is well represented at the Tokyo Games, with Opals coach Sandy Brondello and player Marianna Tolo hailing from the region, while Cayla George is currently on the Meteorettes roster.

Australia's Cayla George (L) fights for the ball with Belgium's Julie Allemand in the women's preliminary round group C basketball match between Australia and Belgium during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Picture: Aris Messinis – AFP)

While coaching the Meteors in a potentially championship-winning season, Khalu is also the Indigenous pathways program manager for Basketball Queensland.

Khalu said his role had led to a tight bond with Australian basketball legend and Olympic flag-bearer Patty Mills.

“In more recent years we’ve developed more of a close relationship and share a mindset of using basketball as a tool to make change, particularly in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders communities,” he said.

Patty Mills #5 of Team Australia looks to pass as he's surrounded by Team Nigeria defenders in the first half of the Men's Preliminary Round Group B game on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Picture: Gregory Shamus – Getty Images

“Patty will walk into a stadium and take the time to make sure every kid has a chance to get a photo or meet him, and that’s lost on a lot of athletes these days but Patty is so grounded and that stems from his family.”

Mills has been the face of Australian basketball for the past decade, with the San Antonio guard gaining cult-hero status in the NBA.

Khalu said Mills was a different beast in a Boomers uniform, and Australia was a chance to claim gold with him leading the charge.

“When he puts on the Boomers uniform Patty goes to another level, and talking to Patty the focus is gold, not just a medal,” Khalu said.

“This moment for him is a few years in the making so fingers crossed they come out and put themselves in a position to do that.”