Coffs Harbour basketballer Isla Juffermans a finalist for young athlete of the year

Coffs Coast prodigy Isla Juffermans now has the world at her feet and is eyeing a professional basketball career - but life wasn’t always so for a once self-conscious young girl. This is her story.

Coffs Harbour basketballer Isla Juffermans is a finalist for young athlete of the year. Picture: supplied

Former Coffs Harbour Suns basketballer Isla Juffermans, 17, made a statement across the globe in 2022 and has now been selected as a finalist for Young Athlete of the Year.

Isla’s journey began as a quiet seven-year-old - taller than the rest of her peers, she was self-conscious and lacking confidence.

But Isla was able to harness this into something special when she started playing basketball.

“Over time, I got better and better and when you get good at something you enjoy it. It was easy for me to score because I was tall,” Isla said.

From a “timid and shy” young girl, she became a force to be reckoned with in the Coffs Harbour basketball scene.

And making it to the big time was always on the radar. At age 15, the centre received a basketball scholarship offer at Barker College in Sydney.

Coffs Harbour basketballer Isla Juffermans is a finalist for young athlete of the year. Picture: Supplied

“Being away from family and friends and having to make a new family in Sydney was definitely tough,” Isla said.

Now 17 – Isla isn’t living a typical Year 11 life. She trains four times a week, gyms another four and resides at the prestigious Australian Institute of Sport – once home to Lauren Jackson – who happens to be her idol.

“I’m surrounded by athletes that all have the same goal: To get better,” Isla said.

Isla Juffermans rose through the ranks in Coffs Harbour before making the move to Sydney and now Canberra – at the Australian Institute of Sport. Picture: Supplied

This winning mentality reaches to school too: Isla, like many in her position, hope to head to America to play college basketball, so academic studies aren’t taken lightly.

“I’ll never get this again - it’s rare. The AIS supports us so much,” she said.

Last year, Isla did meniscus damage to her knee, requiring surgery.

Out of action for three months, this time was important for her to reset her goals and mentally mature.

Already this year her merry journey has rolled ever on - competing in the U16 Asian Championships in Jordan where she played six games and led the scoring with 118 points.

She also played a World Cup in Hungary and travelled to India for the Asian Championships, finishing as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and more importantly, winning the tournament for her country.

Isla Juffermans with her mother Cristi, who has supported her throughout her journey. Picture: Supplied

Playing against girls a year older, Isla said she wasn’t expecting the remarkable MVP achievement.

“It was hot and very polluted, so it was hard to perform, and the food was so different. I don't like curry!” Isla said.

Having to adapt to the environment, the climate and the tucker – Isla was consistent throughout the tournament and harnessed her status as the young gun.

She finished the tournament as the top scorer for Australia with 26 points and led in rebounds.

Isla also collected a bronze medal in the 2022 Australian U18 Girls Junior Championships with the NSW Country girls team, again leading the scoring, with 167 points.

But she hasn’t forgotten where it all started, and said her childhood in Coffs Harbour was a good pathway, giving a special shoutout to her mother and grandmother who coached her since she was seven.

“My granny had a huge influence on me. When I go back home we still do individual training sessions,” Isla said.

Isla’s mother Cristi, who works at Basketball NSW as a regional development officer, marvels that her daughter lacked confidence as a young girl and was reluctant to play.

Isla always dreamt of being an Olympian. Picture: Supplied

“I had to hold her hand running up and down the sideline,” Ms Juffermans said.

But when Isla found her feet, there was no holding her back.

“In Year 2 she was holding up an Olympian sign. She always wanted it,” Ms Juffermans said.

Isla’s dream of reaching the skies – and the hoops – from a young age are now being materialised, through hard work and commitment.