Manny Set To Take On The World
Making representative teams hasn’t come easily for Manuela Puoch, who reflected on being cut twice from the Victorian State Squads before representing Victoria Metro in 2023 at the U18 National Junior Basketball Championships. Manuela, who is known in the basketball world as Manny, is now preparing to represent Australia at the FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup in Czechia from 12-20 July this year.
Manny’s basketball journey dates to when she was 5 years old, playing in the Dandenong Basketball Association’s junior domestic competition. From there, she has moved through the junior ranks in the Dandenong Rangers VJBL program, where she finished her time in the program in 2023. A year where the U18 girls won gold and Manny being awarded the Grand Final MVP in the VJBL competition.
It has been a whirlwind 18 months since making her first Victorian Metro Representative team in 2023 in the U18 girls’ squad, who finished 4th at the U18 National Junior Basketball Championships in Brisbane. In that year she was also juggling school, playing Youth League in the Big V, and training & filling in for the Rangers NBL1 women’s team.
2024 proved to be a year of growth and opportunity as Manny was selected in the U20 Girls Victorian State Representative team who won gold in Ballarat at the Foot Locker U20’s National Championships. From there she was offered her first NBL1 contract with the Rangers as a starting big. Speaking on her first contract, Manny expressed that if you had of asked her what she would be doing a year prior, an NBL1 contract and playing an important role is not something she would have expected to happen.
The NBL1 season was another stepping stone for Manny. The Southside Flyers were aware of the talented young player from the local area and offered to assist with the opportunity to continue to develop her game in the WNBL. The sky was the limit as she signed a two-year contract with the Southside Flyers in Australia’s elite women’s competition.
Speaking on the chance to join the Flyers, Manny said it was an incredible opportunity, one she was not expecting. Importantly, it was not just about developing her game; it was also about supporting her as a person and all the commitments of a teenager.
“I was not expecting the Flyers offer. It was a great opportunity to be a rookie, still being in school, and playing Youth League and NBL1”.
Upon reflection, she said it was a lot to commit to, however, stated:
“I’m not complaining because the things we do for this game are unbelievable. It was a great opportunity for me, and Flyers being so supportive of all my commitments with school and all the other stuff really did help a lot”.
Following her first season in the WNBL, Manny was invited to the U19 Australian Gems camp at the Centre of Excellence in Canberra. Through the gruelling camps and many rounds of cuts to the squad, she was selected in the final team (and her first Australian team) to compete at the FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup in Czechia in July. Asked what it means to her to represent Australia and to pull on the green and gold for the first time, she said:
“It’s an honour to represent Australia and the South Sudanese community.
“Being a role model in both communities adds another purpose to the game. It’s not just about winning and scoring points; it’s about those kids who have my jersey on their backs, the little notes they give me after games, and coming to all the games, no matter the outcome. It motivates me to become a better basketball player and person outside the court”.
Preparing for a FIBA World Cup at any level is tough, especially when teammates are spread across the country. Manny spoke on her preparation leading up to the World Cup and explained she has received support from the Flyers and Rangers to complement the Australian program.
The Flyers have helped in developing a program for her to complete in the offseason, where she comes into the State Basketball Centre once a week to complete elements of gym, conditioning, and nutrition; whilst the Rangers have helped in ‘indi’ (individual) sessions with her coach as well assisting with the mental aspect of the game. Manny explained that being able to talk to her coach about how her week is going has helped her to de-load what it looks like and to move on to the next one.
Her Australian program sees her working on her shooting and post work, as well as all the extra work no one else sees, to improve her game. Off the court, she has been learning about her teammates so that they have a better connection going into worlds, which builds team chemistry, and gives them every chance to succeed on the court.
At the World Cup, Manny said that the main goal for the team is to bring home a gold medal. She also expressed that they’re there to have fun, play ball, and make memories with each other. Personally, she wants to make a statement at the tournament saying:
“I want to go there and show the world what I have to give”.
When asked how she thinks the international experience will help to improve her game, Manny said:
“Playing against other countries, and their style of basketball, will definitely help me. I’m always willing to learn different styles of basketball and incorporate them into my game”.
Growing up, every young basketballer’s dream is to represent their country and play at the highest level possible. Showing resilience throughout the years, Manny knows all too well about the ups and downs of being given opportunities. She gave this advice to aspiring young players
“The road to playing at an elite level is full of challenges and sacrifices, but never forget where you come from. Stay humble, keep learning, and always be grateful for the opportunities you’ve been given”.
Manny will join Flyers Assistant Coach Jo Wood in representing Australia at the FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup in Czechia in July. The tournament is one we will be keeping a close eye on as we hope Manny, Jo, and the team bring home gold.