Hornsby coach Sarah Graham suiting up for Sydney Uni Flames in WNBL

From coaching to taking on a Chinese basketball team. It’s been an interesting month for Sarah Graham.

Sarah Graham is back in her Flames uniform after an off-season as a Hornsby basketball coach. Pic: Geoff Tripp.

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What a difference a couple of weeks makes in the world of sport.

Last month Sarah Graham was coaching her under 18s Hornsby basketball side to success in the Sydney metro championships and into the semi-finals of the state titles.

This month she has transformed from a coach to a player, moving from the sidelines and onto the court to prepare for the start of the new Women’s National Basketball season.

Sarah Graham and basketballers from her Hornsby under 18s team.

But Graham said her time in the Hornsby coaching role with the under 18s and open women’s team has given her a new appreciation of the women and men who stride the sidelines.

“I do like the coaching and I’d like to pursue it further in the future,’’ Graham said.

“The WNBL would be fantastic, but it could be wheelchair basketball, full ability basketball, I don’t know yet.

“I do think the coaching has helped me as a player. It has definitely shown me why coaches get frustrated.

“It’s also given me some insights into how to get your players to work together.’’

The Sydney Uni Flames played China B in a warm-up match to the WNBL. Pic: Geoff Tripp

The Sydney Uni Flames came against China B was a physical battle Sarah Graham said the team needs ahead of the WNBL. Pic: Geoff Tripp

Now with her playing hat back on, Graham was part of the Flames team which beat China B 75-67 in a warm-up match ahead of the 2019/2020 WNBL season last weekend.

“It’ was a great hitout for the Flames season. Definitely something we needed,’’ said the 30-year-old, 163cm guard and former WNBL Rookie of the Year,

“When you play against a team so tough and quick, it reveals things. And it was very physical which is what we needed.’’

The Flames, who finished as WNBL wooden spooners last season, have plenty to prove this competition.

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“I didn’t think we have to get over it, we did a lot of dealing with that last season,’’ Graham said.

“But you do want to work harder after a season life that. It makes you want to ensure you don’t have it again.’’

The Brydens Sydney Uni Flames kick off their season with a road trip to Adelaide on October 11 and Perth on October 13 before returning to Sydney for their first home game on October 19 against the newly-named Southside Flyers, led by former Flames coach Cheryl Chambers.