InspireHer Stories: Peta Paterson

It’s always special as a parent when you can find a shared interest with your children.

For Peta Paterson, a basketball-loving mum in Mildura, this wasn’t something she got to experience across the first decade of her two girls’ lives.

Having grown up in Adelaide, she first encountered the game watching her future husband, Steven, play rep hoops, before starting to go to live 36ers games.

This grew her enthusiasm for the sport, which Paterson took with her when they eventually moved across to Victoria in 2010.

Despite this, her girls, Charlize and Alexis, showed no signs of developing a passion for the sport.

This eventually changed thanks to the social aspect of the game, as it provided extra opportunities for them to be around their friends outside of school.

“The girls really weren't interested in it. We've got two daughters and they were not interested in basketball whatsoever,
but then the girls were missing hanging out with a few of their friends and they started to play basketball in winter,” Paterson said.

“It was just about the opportunity to see friends and go have some fun and they absolutely fell in love with it.

“I was able to put my passion for the sport back into gear, and there was a lot of basketball to watch, because my girls are really all-or-nothing when it comes to their passions.

‘Eventually, they made an Under 14s Div 3 side together, but no one would put up their hand coach. I thought it’s something I could do to help them and the club, and they took a chance on me and we haven't looked back.”

After coaching the team for a period, Paterson transitioned into a role as team manager, which provided her with an opportunity to help care for the girls on the team from a different angle.

“Not many other people love your kids as much as you do, so you want to make sure they’re enjoying what they’re doing.

“I always tried to rally around the girls. At that age (Under 16s), there's lots of emotions and tears and a lot of outside factors, so I always tried to diffuse a lot of those little bombs over the season.”

While she loved working behind the scenes as team manager, the desire for a more hands-on role remained.

Now, Paterson is eagerly anticipating the start of her first season as Head Coach of the Under 18s Division 1 team.

With the goal of creating a space where girls can thrive on and off the court, Paterson touched on her anticipation for the season ahead.

“I just really want to foster a really safe environment.
Sport is an amazing outlet for young people. It supports them and keeps them engaged and keeps reminding them that they are valued and they are a part of a community. 


“Obviously, we all like winning, and we’re always going to compete and try to win every game, but more importantly, having people come in and enjoy the sport, that’s what it’s all about and that’s my ultimate goal.”

With an eye on growing the game in the region, Paterson was thrilled to see the impact Melbourne United’s United for Her camp had on young girls during the last school holidays.

“You could see the enjoyment out of everybody's faces, even the coaches' faces. You get to see so many kids from all different walks of life playing together.

“You've got the shyer kids, you've got the over the top kids that just love showing their skill or their personality. It was fantastic to be involved in.

“It means a lot to see clubs like United make the effort to reach communities like ours, where there is a real passion for basketball.

“Seeing United come in gives the girls so much enthusiasm and excitement. I think it can really change lives and foster a real love for being active and playing the game.”

If you’re interested in getting involved in United for Her, click here to find out more.