QBL star relishes role in classroom
BASKETBALL QBL championship-winning captain James Mitchell’s basketball exploits are well documented, but the classroom is where the popular former Cairns Taipan is leaving his greatest legacy.
Mitchell has chased his hoop dreams as a development player in the NBL, in the British Basketball League for Sheffield, as well as in the QBL as a mainstay with Cairns and now Rockhampton.
Basketball was always a key part of his focus, but the 28year-old also had one eye on life after professional basketball: studying to become a primary school teacher.
He has recently transitioned from fledgling basketballer to teacher comfortably, as well as continuing to play in the QBL.
The forward looks after the best players in the QBL on the defensive end and in 2019 he has added the Peace Lutheran College Year 5 class to his skill set.
“I give my heart, building relationships and connections with the kids,” Mitchell said.
“We teach the curriculum and what needs to be taught, but it is about going beyond that and making memories with them.
“It is about understanding what the individual is about and their own personalties and what they are about.
“I love it, it is such a good group here at Peace.
“These kids have great manners; they focus and concentrate on their work.”
Head of Junior School Sarah Rowan says Mitchell has been an active part of the school’s community in teaching roles over the past two years.
“It is great that an athlete of James’s calibre has sought a profession, such as teaching, outside basketball,” Rowan said.
“There is a natural link of skills that are used on the basketball court, such as being a team player, communicating well and continued learning and improvement, that correlate well with those of teaching.”
Maths and other school subjects fill the day and Mitchell also finds time to coach the school basketball team.
“At lunch time, instead of being cooped up in the office, I love to go outside and play ball with them,” Mitchell said.
“There is all sorts of games we play, but also just talking about their day – that is important.
“I love to see the students enjoying school instead of just being there, because I know I enjoy my work and look forward to it.”
Mitchell is off to Rockhampton for the 2019 QBL season next week, where he is likely to do relief teaching during the season before looking for a more permanent role.
He averaged 14 points and five assists per game in 2018 and is set to be joined by former Cairns Taipan Shaun Bruce in Australia’s Beef Capital for the upcoming QBL campaign.