Toowoomba Mountaineers follow in the footsteps of Boston Celtics and Queensland Maroons by adopting ‘ubuntu’ concept

Following in the footsteps of the 2008 NBA championship winning Boston Celtics and the Queensland Maroons, the Toowoomba Mountaineers women’s rise this year is because of one word.

Jasmine Collier of Toowoomba Mountaineers fires off a pass against Brisbane Capitals. Picture: Kevin Farmer

It is easy to say a team-first focus has been the key to the Toowoomba Mountaineers women’s success this season.

However, their rise to the top of QSL 1 ladder, and a first playoff berth in a decade, is about so much more.

The Mountaineers have adopted the ‘Ubuntu’ manta this year – following the lead of the Boston Celtics during their 2008 NBA championship winning season and more recently Billy Slater’s Queensland Maroons.

The Nguni Bantu word means humanity and is occasionally translated to ‘I am because we are’.

For the Mountaineers it is about putting the needs of team first, which in turn ultimately makes every player better.

“It (ubuntu) has been a big thing for us this season,” Mountaineers centre Kimberlee Wilson said after a win earlier this season.

“It’s about making the sacrifices as an individual to help the team.

“We’re better as players because the team is better.”

Toowoomba Mountaineers coach Matthew Cox during a break against Northside Wizards. Picture: Kevin Farmer

After his squad narrowly missed out on a playoff berth last season, coach Matt Cox and the Mountaineers board had a busy off-season tweaking and improving the side.

With a mix of youth and veteran stars, the Mountaineers finished the QSL 1 regular season in three-way tie atop the ladder.

On the scoresheets certain players have dominated consistently, but a focus on using every player and turning to those ‘in form’ has paid off.

“We’ve got such a deep roster this year which is fantastic,” Wilson said.

“Technically we have 14 girls in the squad and everyone deserves a spot.

“We hype each other up and celebrate each others successes.

“No one is worried about their own minutes or stats, if someone has the hot hand in a game they get the minutes.”

The Mountaineers play Gold Coast Rollers at the USQ Clive Berghofer Arena on Saturday, July 8. Tip-off is 5pm.