Bendigo Lady Braves' Andrea Walsh calls it a day

WHEN the Bendigo Lady Braves tip off their 2010 season next month, they will be without the services of the club’s all-time highest points scorer and the league games record-holder.Much-loved veteran guard Andrea Walsh has hung up her boots after a decorated basketball career that spanned 16 years and included three national championships and six South East Australian Basketball League title wins.The 32-year-old was on the verge of reaching the magical milestone of 400 SEABL matches, but will end her playing days just seven games short.Walsh said she had been keen to play on this season, but decided to pull the pin after a meeting with new Lady Braves coach Lukas Carey.“He pretty much said he couldn’t guarantee me a spot in the team each week as the club was going along a youth path with local players,’’ she said.“I suppose where I am at with my age and commitments at work, it’s better for me to give that spot to a local junior.“I’m disappointed, but I certainly understand the direction they want to go in with youth and I wish them all the best.“Being part of the Braves was a positive experience - I had well over 300 games with Bendigo and I loved every minute of it.’’Despite her retirement, Walsh’s skills will not be lost to basketball.She has signed on as an assistant coach to her great mate Larissa Anderson at Dandenong in the SEABL competition, setting up an engaging contest when the Rangers meet the Lady Braves on April 24.She is also assistant coach of the Victorian Country under-18 girls team, and works for Basketball Victoria Country Council as association development officer.“It’s great to be working on the other side as a coach, especially with the Aussie Hoops program looking after those little five to 10-year-olds,’’ Walsh said.“I want to go along that path now and try to provide kids with that enjoyment factor. I’ll put as much time into coaching as I did playing and see what I can do.’’In her number 11 guernsey, Walsh was an inspirational player for the Lady Braves, leading from the front and often providing the spark needed when the chips were down.The Advertiser’s sports editor and basketball writer, Adam Bourke, said Walsh gave her all for Bendigo.“It wouldn’t matter if it was a grand final or a game against the bottom side, she always played with the same tenacity and gave 110 per cent for her team,’’ he said.She was just as committed off the court, and recounted the time the Lady Braves were building up their fitness by completing hill sprints in Rosalind Park, followed by running up the poppet head tower at the top.“We started off with one of each, then next time we built it up to two and two, and so on right up until we did nine and nine,’’ she said.“And that was it - then we had to move on to something else.“Well, you couldn’t just finish on a number like nine, so another girl and I went out and decided to round it off to 10 sets of hill runs and tower climbs.“Afterwards, I had to go home to bed and I don’t think I’ve ever felt so sick.’’Walsh started her basketball career playing for Aztec Tigers, and represented Bendigo and Country Victoria in junior and youth sides.She made her debut for the Lady Braves in 1993, was co-captain for many years and earned awards, including most consistent, and most valuable player.In 2003, when the Braves won the national title, Walsh was named MVP for the league and in the SEABL grand final, and made the coveted All-Star Five.She also played 134 games in the Women’s National Basketball League - for Melbourne, Bulleen, Townsville and eventually Bendigo, where she was Spirit’s inaugural captain.Reflecting on her time in the game that was her life for so long, Walsh nominated junior coach Damien Cleeve and long-time Braves mentor Bernie Harrower as the pair who had the biggest influence on her career.Harrower said the secret to Walsh’s success was her enormous work ethic, but she was also the life of the party off the court.“Especially in her early days, she was always the larrikin and the player who could lighten the mood,’’ he said. “She has had a sensational career.’’Walsh said she had a ball playing alongside former teammates such as Michelle Fletcher, Nina Cass and Mandy Henderson, who had become lifelong friends.She also paid tribute to her parents, Teresa and Brian, brother Darren, sister-in-law Kate and extended family for their unwavering support.Aside from coaching, Walsh’s plans away from the court include taking up cycling (she has bought a racing bike), running (she covers 10km or more daily) and maybe even AFL footy if a local women’s side gets off the ground (she was a stand-out last year when a Bendigo invitational side defeated a visiting US female team). Playing basketball at a domestic level is not on the agenda. “At the moment I won’t play at all,’’ she said.“A bit further down the track I might look at it again but I’m going to have a bit of a break from it and going up to the stadium, because it’s still pretty tough to be there.“I am loving the path I have chosen with coaching and really enjoying that.’’Not one to harbour regrets, Walsh said the hardest aspect of recent events was that she never got to play a farewell match in Bendigo.For the record, 'Walshy' wants her fans to know she thinks they are awesome.“I would’ve loved to have played in my last game at home, knowing it was my last one, and having the chance to thank my supporters.“The people of Bendigo,I can’t thank them enough and I’d like to say a huge thanks for their support.’’ Walsh hopes she will be remembered as a player for her loyalty, hard work and leadership skills.Indicative of her loyalty to Bendigo, she said she had flat out refused to even consider playing on elsewhere just to reach her 400th game. “I have been asked would I play for another club to get that milestone, but no way would I do that,’’ she said. “If I’d made 400, I’d have wanted to be standing on court at the Schweppes Centre, nowhere else.’’