Former Australian Opal and self-proclaimed ‘mum on a comeback’ Darcee Garbin has been crowned the next Tasmania Jewel.
The highly decorated 31-year-old West Australian is globally regarded as one of the hardest working and versatile women basketballers.
She’s a multiple-medal winning Australian Opal, two-time WNBL championship winner with the Townsville Fire, former captain of the Perth Lynx and Europe champion too.
Last year, Garbin took the decision to step away from a three-year international stint in Hungary to start a family. When her daughter Rose arrived in December, Garbin thought she’d hung up her basketball shoes for good.
“I was mentally and physically ready for a break from basketball, and ready for the next chapter as a mum. If I didn’t play professionally again, I would be comfortable with that.
“But, in January, I was at HoopsFest in Perth and I couldn’t shake the thought of playing.
“One of the first people I messaged was Claudia [Brassard], to ask if she thought I could do it and her answer was an immediate ‘absolutely you can’, and then my mind was set.
“I have nothing to lose; I just want to be the best I can and be a good role model for Rose. I want her grow up knowing that women can do anything and everything that they want.”
Garbin had her first game back on May 1, with the Perth NBL1 team Cockburn. She will move to Tasmania for the WNBL season in August as part of a two-year contract with the Jewels.
Jewels Coach Claudia Brassard, who coached Garbin to the WNBL title win in 2019, said Garbin was exactly the type of player and person the Jewels wanted and needed.
“Darcee is one of the hardest workers I know, she’s dedicated, disciplined, and puts her team first – she was on my list from day one that’s for sure,” Brassard said.
“On the court, she’s athletic, long, lean, and fast. She’s a great outside shooter and really good offensive rebounder.”
Brassard said when Garbin messaged her in January about her potential comeback, she had no hesitation in responding.
“I remember in 2001 when I had my daughter Maya, I really pushed the boundaries with the Canadian national team, they’d never had a mum play before,” she said.
“But credit to them, they made it happen, I took my 6-month-old on the training camp with me, and I was supported every step of the way.
“Now, we don’t bat an eyelid, you can be a mum and an athlete and that’s exactly how it should be.”
Garbin will join the team, pending WNBL review and approval, alongside Keely Froling as the second rostered player committed to the Jewels, along with two Development Players, Tasmanians Nikki Parker and Andie Smith.
The final team will comprise 10 players and three Development Players.
The opportunity for Tasmania Jewels membership will open soon.
The season will start in October, with the Jewels playing half their games in Hobart at the MyState Bank Arena and half in Launceston at the Silverdome.
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