WEIGHT WATCHER
FORDE Heatley listened to the “click” and changed his life.
So began one of Gold Coast sport’s biggest feelgood stories, with the aggressive 24-year-old signing with QBL newcomers the Seahawks for 2018.
It’s a step closer to an NBL ambition few could have imagined when Brisbane-born Heatley’s weight ballooned to 134kg three years ago after temporarily giving the game away. Now down to 90kg, Heatley will add the muscle to North Gold Coast next season.
“Something clicked and I wanted to get back into basketball – that’s the thing that has changed my life,” said Heatley, now studying personal training and working in security.
“I got healthy and changed that sedentary lifestyle.
“I put it down to not wanting to do a job I don’t have a passion for.
“I want to do something that is rewarding and I want to do.” The drive doesn’t stop when the QBL starts.
“I want to go hard and go
as far as I can – NBL is the goal right now,” said Heatley, who spent last season at Coffs Harbour.
“Last season was a success and I improved my game dramatically.
“Next year will be a step up in standard but I just want to play in the best comp I could.
“Last season was good for my game but I’ve improved.
“Now I just want to adapt to the speed of the game (in the QBL) and I want to get smarter, get faster, get stronger, improve everywhere.”
Capable of playing inside and on the wings, 193cm Heatley labels his strengths as his passing and shooting, as well as being a lockdown defender.
Seahawks coach Ricardo Lawyer, though, likes a different attribute.
“They can’t all be pretty boys,” he said.
“At scrimmage (at the club) a few weeks ago he was physically dominating people and we need that aggression. “He’s very strong.” Heatley is expecting to move up to the Gold Coast next month before joining his teammates ahead of the QBL start likely to be in late April.
I PUT IT DOWN TO NOT WANTING TO DO A JOB I DON’T HAVE A PASSION FOR. I WANT TO DO SOMETHING THAT IS REWARDING AND I WANT TO DO SEAHAWKS SIGNING HEATLEY