Australian Opal captain Tess Madgen reveals why she chose to lead the Sydney Flames revival

Tess Madgen has seen what the revival of the Kings has done for basketball in Sydney, which is why the Australian captain wants to play a key role in the Flames returning back to the top of the tree.

Sydney Flames player Tess Madgen with students from Charlestown South Public School. Picture: Kris Saad

The chance to build something special in Sydney was an offer too good for Tess Madgen to refuse.

A long-time Australian Opal, her signing along with fellow superstar Cayla George signalled a new dawn for the Sydney Flames after missing the playoffs for the past five seasons.

Fresh after making her club debut following injury, the national team captain revealed the main reasons for making the switch from Melbourne.

“One of the main motivations was what the Hoops Capital had done with the Sydney Kings and how passionate they were to do that for the women’s team,” Madgen said.

“It was something I couldn’t resist being a part of.

“There were whispers that Guy could be the head coach. He’s my favourite coach to play for in the WNBL. As soon as I heard that Cayla and I were on the phone to one another, and when one of us committed the other one went.

Sydney Flames head coach Guy Molloy. Photo: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

“I’ve been playing with Cayla since U12s back in SA Country. I love playing with her and playing for Guy.

“They put such a great team together with Lauren Nicholson coming back, Shaneice Swain and the imports, and then that core group from last season.”

Madgen is currently in Newcastle for the Harvey Norman Roadshow with her teammates during their bye round, helping to grow basketball in the Hunter among young players and women in particular.

“I’m from a small country town myself (Barossa Valley, SA) so I know how important it is for this exposure to elite role models, especially female elite athletes,” she said.

“You can’t be what you can’t see, so getting out into the community and inspiring the young females that they can do anything just like their male counterparts.

Cayla George (centre) and Tess Madgen (left) made the move from the Melbourne Boomers to Sydney. Photo: James Worsfold/Getty Images

“Harvey Norman is an iconic Australian brand, so to be able to partner with them and have their support to do what the males do, we couldn’t do it without them.

“Hearing from Katie (Page), she’s just so passionate about it, and to have someone like that on board, it doesn’t only inspire young boys and girls, but I’m still inspired when I hear her speak.”

With an Olympics campaign on the radar, Madgen said securing spots for Paris is now on the radar.

“Representing my country is why I play the game. Being the captain of the team is not even a dream come true because I never really saw it on the radar,” she said.

“It comes with a huge responsibility, but it’s something that I’m extremely proud of.

“We have a qualifying tournament in February so it’s in the back of everyone’s minds in that squad. They want to make that team.

Tess Madgen is hoping to lead Australia to gold next year in Paris. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images for the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup

“When it’s an Olympics year you see a lot of players up for contention coming back into the WNBL which makes our league really strong.”

Despite the Flames starting the season with a 2-3 record, Madgen believes they will be a force to be reckoned with once they click.

“We’re training really well, but it was always going to be a slow burn,” she said.

“We had Cayla come in a week before the season after starring in the WNBA Championship, then we had a very interrupted pre-season with injuries.

“I feel like the start of the season has been like a mini pre-season. As long as we keep training hard and trusting the process, I think we will be really, really good come finals.”