COCKS RETURNS TO FLAMES FOR NBL1 NORTH

In a major coup for the Townsville Flames, former WNBL Rachael Sporn medallist Micaela Cocks has signed with the club ahead of the NBL1 North season.

The 34-year-old will be coming into the side fresh, having had a year off to have her first child, Hazel.

But according to Townsville Basketball general manager Mark Wrobel, the Fire championship winner still has the desire to compete at the highest level.

Cocks has previously spoken with The Townsville Bulletin about her desire to help New Zealand qualify for the Olympics, while another crack at the WNBL is firmly in her sights.

And under WNBL coach of the year Shannon Seebohm — who will lead the Flames in addition to his Fire commitments — she has the chance to impress and earn a spot back in the nation’s top competition.

 “I think she’s still got ambition to play at that highest level, so for her it’s a good opportunity to get that balance right, get her fitness base up and ideally playing in front of Shannon is a great thing for her to push her cause to get back in the Fire roster,” Wrobel said.

“A lot of the boxes were ticked for her to make the decision to come back, and we’ll be flexible for her with Sam (Hoare) being away with the Blackhawks at times, we’ll have to make sure we care for Micaela and Hazel throughout the season.

“Micaela is an absolute freak as far as fitness is concerned … I think she was out running the week after Hazel was born.”

With a host of young talent emerging in the Flames’ ranks — the likes of 2020 junior stars Chailee Ward and Lauren Andrews — Wrobel said it is Cocks’ experience and leadership which will be relied upon heavily in 2021.

Even with Fire point guard Stephanie Reid in the mix, the 24-year-old is set to benefit from the presence of a two-time national champion.

“It’s her experience just knowing the travel and backing up on those road trips when we have to go away, and knowing what it takes to get a win,” Wrobel said.

“We’ll have some young guards in and around the roster. Even Steph Reid, while she’s in the WNBL she’s still in the infancy of that so to have Micaela around to learn more off will be great for her as well.

“For the younger ones, they would’ve been early teenagers when the Fire were winning titles and she was a hero of theirs.”

Written by Nick Wright, courtesy of the Townsville Bulletin.