Townsville Fire Turn Up The Heat

Inside the collective mindset that drove Townsville to a WNBL championship

Kick-ass Women’s Basketball Team Townsville Fire has shown the world it means business, with players still riding high following their win at the WNBL on March 1st.

Success rarely comes in a straight line, and for the Townsville Fire WNBL26 champions, the path to glory was winding. But what accelerated them forward was the supportive collective mindset that had them cheering one another on toward their goal.

Under the guidance of head coach Shannon Seebohm, a five-time WNBL Coach of the Year, the Fire entered the season as championship favourites with the youngest roster in the league.

Expectations were high, and early victories reinforced the hype, but the journey was anything but smooth.

By mid-season, injury struck, causing the season-ending loss of star centre Lauren Cox, and the team faced moments of doubt after several tough defeats. Rather than crumble, the Fire recalibrated, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to one another and to the game.

Their final win over the Perth Lynx was a tight battle, a see-saw game taken back in the second half through a display of teamwork and mutual trust. Resulting in a 108 over 105 win.

The MVP of the Grand Final game was named as Courtney Woods, whose leadership on and off the court has become a cornerstone of the Fire’s culture.

Lead coach Shannon Seebohm expressed his pride following the game.

“I’m trying not to get emotional here, but she has played every single role for me that you could imagine.” The lead coach told Basketball.com.au.

“From not playing a second to playing 40 minutes a game. From me telling her she needs to pass the ball more, to she needs to shoot more threes, to we need you to do this in this game.”

“We’re so lucky to have Courtney on our team, at our club.”

Overcoming the disappointment of last year’s finals where they lost to Bendigo Spirit, Courtney returned stronger this season, both physically and mentally. Her ability to rise to the occasion, making decisive shots, locking down key opponents, and inspiring her teammates, played a huge part in the winning performance.

Her game was a show of persistence, and demonstration of the quiet power of mentorship; she attributes much of her growth to the support and guidance of Seebohm and the club’s leadership.

Across the roster, the Fire women excelled. Young stars like Abbey Ellis, Lucy Olsen, and Miela Goodchild stepped into pivotal roles when needed, demonstrating that teamwork, trust, and shared responsibility can achieve results even against the strongest opponents.

“It’s never been a team that snapped at each other or pointed fingers.” Courtney explained.

“We’ve always had massive respect for each other as basketball players.

“I know I said it in the semi-final, but it’s the power of friendship. That’s what keeps us connected. If we had lost that game, we would have been in the locker room like, ‘Guys, we’re okay. We’ll go out and play in Game 3.’ When you have the support of all your friends and your coaches, you feel like you can do really hard things.”

The Fire’s championship win comes alongside a broader evolution of women’s professional sport in Australia. With new ownership, increased investment, and growing fan engagement, the WNBL is entering a new era.

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