This article first appeared in the Canberra Times
Canberra Capitals club legend Jessica Bibby is throwing her hat in the ring to join the GWS GIANTS for the National Women's League foundation season.
Bibby had been one of the more prolific basketballers in WNBL history. The games record holder's career has included five league championships, national representation, and even a stint in the WNBA.
But the creation of the NWL has the now retired star basketballer aiming to play the sport she truly loves by taking part in one of a series of athlete search programs hosted by the GIANTS.
"I've grown up playing footy, it's probably been my first love my whole life having grown up in Melbourne and being a mad Carlton supporter.
"My earliest memory is running around kicking a footy with friends, I've never completely forgotten about it."
On Saturday, Bibby tested her football skills in Sydney at the GIANTS' come and try day for women active in alternative sports.
The program is designed for individuals with the athletic prowess of Bibby, but the former sharp-shooter was modest about her chances of advancing to a contracted position.
"I know that I can kick a footy, in terms of playing the game I filled in a few years ago in a little preseason tournament, I played a couple of games and really loved it.
"I think I went OK but I've got no idea about the standard, I'm literally going in blind and that's the exciting thing. I have no expectations, no idea what's happening, and I'm just going to go in and give it a crack."
Bibby said the key elements of basketball are also pivotal in football, and she hopes her attributes that have served her well on the court for two decades can help her pull on a GIANTS jumper.
Basketballers have a rich history of succeeding in the AFL, and NWL GIANTS coach Tim Schmidt is hopeful the GIANTS will unearth some outstanding talent over the next couple of weeks.
"I personally think that basketball and football have a lot of similar qualities, and it's probably not as hard to adapt to," he said.
"Bursts of speed, marking, catching the ball or footy, and working through traffic is exactly what AFL is as well. So there are massive similarities there and that is probably why it is easier for basketballers to transition to football."
The GIANTS will host another athlete search day for Canberra-based sportswomen at the AIS this Sunday, but Schmidt is also confident in the pool of talent already playing football in the capital.
REGISTER FOR THE GIANTS’ NWL ATHLETE SEARCH IN CANBERRA
"There are a number of quality girls down in Canberra, there was a big number of Canberra girls in our state team that took on SA over in Adelaide Oval a few months ago," he said.
"And then also the youth girls, they've got some really quality youth girls as well, who can't be drafted this year, but obviously in years to come it will be a massive market that's for sure."
