Hey Alicia! Introduce yourself.
My name is Alicia Froling and I am a professional basketball player. I grew up in a basketball family and have been playing since I was nine years old. I attended the Australian Institute of Sport at 17 and then went to college in America where I earned my Bachelors in Psychology. I also currently play in the WNBL for the Bendigo Spirit.
What has been the biggest accomplishment in your career to date?
I have a few accomplishments that stand out. The first is winning a national championship with QLD North in U18s. No Queensland Women’s team had ever won it before so that was really special. I also won two bronze medals at consecutive U19 junior world championships for Australia. In more recent years I’d say my biggest accomplishment was winning the NBL1 MVP in 2022. That was a big one because I’d dealt with a wrist injury for a few years beforehand and that was the first season I felt like I was playing my best basketball again.
Tell us about your experience of switching shooting hands mid career….
I have had two major wrist surgeries and just about everything that can go wrong did. I spent two years after my second surgery trying to rehab, however the damage was too great and my wrist just wasn’t working the way it should. Without proper control of my wrist I lost all confidence in my shot and this severely affected my game. It got to the point where I had to make a decision between giving up basketball or trying to shoot with my left hand. I chose to try my left hand and within a month I had hit a three point shot in a game.
How has this impacted you both on and off the court?
On the court I am coming off my best WNBL season to date and feel really good about my game. I am continuing to add things to my game and work on my shot and am excited to see how far I can go.
The wrist can provide some mental barriers at times but I feel like it is really important to just keep going and striving to be the best I can be.
How do you manage the pressures of being a full time professional athlete?
It’s all about being organised and having self discipline. I’ve been fortunate to have grown up around professional athletes so it’s something that I was shown from a young age. It’s a great life to live but you need to be able to find balance and enjoy the process and getting to do what you love every single day.
What sort of things can people do to show support for women’s sport?
So many things! Watching games whether in person or via the telecast! Supporting your favourite teams and athletes on social media platforms or purchasing merchandise when possible. If you are in a position to sponsor a team or an athlete that can also be a massive help.
How has SRA helped you along your journey?
SRA helped me build a fantastic base for the most recent WNBL season. My programs were made to suit my needs and helped me go into the season in the best shape possible. We focused on key areas of strength and prehab which allowed me to go into the season feeling confident in my body and the strongest I have ever been! I’m excited to keep working with Shaun and the team!
What’s next for you? (Sports, gym, studies, career)…
What’s next for me is to continue working on improving my game and seeing how far I can go!
Do you have any advice for athletes who might be going through a career changing injury?
I would say you need to make sure you have the right people around you to help you heal. You can’t get back to your best without the right medical attention and rehab program, so you need people who understand your sport, your injury and who you are as a person. Be patient, work hard and listen to your body.