SPORT for Rush basketballer Joy Burke is an avenue to be a positive influence in the wider community she represents. Burke aims to make a difference everywhere she plays, often in her own time.
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Basketball Ballarat has recruited the American import in a newly made role as Ballarat Sports and Events Centre Community Ambassador. This is a chance for Burke to shape the how Basketball Ballarat really focuses community outreach beyond more than the game.
For Burke, this is largely about engaging young people to grow confidence and be the best they can be in whatever is their passion.
Back in Australia for a fortnight now, Burke is already immersed in speaking with schools and councils to research issues where she can best channel her efforts.
“In sport, I find you learn the tools to working hard, a good attitude and living healthy and hopefully I can share and encourage that,” Burke said.
“Being an athlete and playing sport is about so much more than winning, losing and championships. It’s a platform for influence. There is a lot more purpose behind it. While I’ve got this short window of time as an athlete, I want to make the most of it.”
Burke relished a chance to act as a mentor in an Alfredton Primary School self-esteem program for girls last year. The program allowed Burke to be a friendly, familiar face for girls to talk to about life.
Basketball helped Burke break out of her shell growing up a little shy as one of the tallest in her class. She realised the opportunities the sport could offer her in college and living in different countries.
And she felt responsibility, as a professional athlete, to be a role model.
“I think society now, more than ever, suggests you should look a certain way or be a certain way. I want young people to develop themselves, allowing confidence to be who they are,” Burke said. “...To be learning something wherever they are.”
Burke was born in Chinese Taipei, grew up in the United States and has played basketball professionally in Europe and Australia. This includes a stint with Bendigo Spirit in the Women’s National Basketball League.
She hoped to take a little of what she had learnt from each culture and community and put it into her work in Ballarat – especially knowing how much Australians love their sport.
Basketball Ballarat has a long history of players working in the community, particularly on taking the game to schools. Burke said it was exciting to have a blank page to take that further, beyond the game, to help inspire the next generation.
