What does innovation really look like in women's basketball?

In Part 1 of this special two-part conversation, newly appointed WNBL Chief Operations Officer Justin Nelson joins Beza and Tony to discuss the journey that shaped him - from leaving school at 14 and working as a baker to rebuilding leagues and clubs across Australia and New Zealand.

Justin opens up about the Melbourne Boomers years, his close working relationship with Lauren Jackson, the creation of New Zealand's Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa league and the Rapid League innovation that transformed player development.

The conversation explores leadership, risk-taking, fan engagement and why Justin believes innovation requires faith rather than fear.

They discuss:

• The accidental path into sports media

• Picking up "broken products" in basketball

• Working with Lauren Jackson again at the WNBL

• Project B and global basketball disruption

• Whether the WNBL should move seasons

• Why fans must come first• The creation of Rapid League

• The rise of Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa

• Pay parity and women's basketball growth

If you want to understand the mindset and philosophy behind one of the most influential basketball administrators in the region, this episode is essential listening.

Sponsor: Uncloud - building stronger community connections through sport.https://www.uncloud.org/whats-uncloud/

Timestamps

0:00 - "Innovation asks you to believe in something you can't see"

1:10 - Introducing Justin Nelson

3:00 - Leaving school at 14 & becoming a baker

5:00 - The accidental path into sports media

7:00 - Leadership evolution & listening more

8:00 - Picking up "broken products" in sport

]9:00 - Working closely with the GOAT Lauren Jackson

12:00 - Lauren's new WNBL leadership role

14:00 - Project B, global basketball & player movement

15:00 - Should the WNBL move seasons?

16:30 - Why fans must come first

18:00 - The origins of Rapid League in NZ

22:00 - "Fear or faith" - Justin's innovation philosophy

23:30 - Creating New Zealand's Tauihi league'

26:00 - Why women's basketball "wasn't good enough"