Failure fear drives Meg
A STINT in Germany has one of Townsville’s newest Fire recruits primed for a WNBL title tilt.
And coming with her is a hatred of failure that is set to drive her new side to greater heights.
Megan Mckay will make her professional debut on Australian soil when the 2020/21 national competition starts, having impressed in the top tier German league for the past year.
While excited to test her skills under coach Shannon Seebohm, the 23-year-old ( pictured) has harsh memories of her last outing in Europe that she believes will carry over on to the Townsville Stadium court.
“One thing I think is really bugging me about Europe is our last game, we were second on the ladder and lost to first on the ladder,” Mckay said.
“It was after a really tough road trip and I think I still have reservations I guess. I want to do better, I don’t want that to be my last basketball game and I think that will carry to Townsville.
“That feeling you know you can do better with the team around you and not getting the opportunity to prove how good your team can be is really frustrating. I don’t want that to ever happen again to me or my team.”
Mckay is yet to touch down in Townsville – her first stop a stint on her cousin’s sheep farm in Western Australia.
It has been a very different lifestyle adjustment to the pace of Europe’s professional basketball scene, but in turn it’s the ideal off-season preparation even without a ball in hand.
While enjoying the contrasting backdrop to what her recent years in American college and Europe have been, Mckay is eager to link up with Fire coach Shannon Seebohm – who she believes has the tools to take her game even further.
It is the Townsville mentor’s communication and ability to challenge his players outside their comfort zones that has her so keen to test herself in a new environment – and hopefully push for a spot in the Opals side at the 2021 Olympics.
However first, while ecstatic to be back on home turf, she has some jitters to overcome and a WNBL championship to win.
“I’m nervous, I’m nervous playing back in Australia with home crowds and people I know in the stands,” Mckay said.
“I’m excited but super nervous, and I guess that’s a good thing. That pushes me to play better and push everyone to get the win.
“Hopefully I bring a lot of noise and energy and it’s enough to take us to the championship.”