Local basketball star Claudea Andrews is taking the next step in her promising career, as she moves to Newcastle to join the Falcons in the NBL1 East Competition.
A product of the Canberra basketball scene, Andrews began her journey with the Queanbeyan Roadrunners in the Under-12s. From there she progressed through her junior career, representing both New South Wales and the ACT at National Junior Tournaments.
Andrews continued to make waves as she advanced into the senior space. She earned a spot with the Canberra Nationals Academy in the Waratah Women’s division, where she was awarded with the league’s Defensive Player of the year award.
Her hard work and determination led her to the NBL1 squad with the Canberra Nationals and eventually to her first professional contract with the Canberra Capitals in the 2023/24 season.
In spite of a challenging off-season with foot and shin injuries, Andrews signed on again with the Capitals for the 2024/25 season where she contributed to a strong campaign that nearly saw the Caps make a last minute push for finals.
In her limited game time, Andrews showcased her skills both offensively and defensively, proving she could hold her own against some of the best players in the country.
Now, Andrews is ready to take the next step in her journey, signing with the Newcastle Falcons as she looks to further her career in the competitive NBL1 East League.
I sat down with Andrews to discuss her move to Newcastle, and learn about the future opportunities she hopes this transition will bring.
What inspired your move to Newcastle?
A: My Canberra Capitals teammate Nicole Munger played a big part in this move. I’ve played alongside her in the WNBL for the past two seasons, and when she asked me to play NBL1 with her in Newcastle, I thought, why not? Munger is a great leader and I think that simply training and playing alongside her will elevate my game so much. She’s always spoken highly of Newcastle and its basketball community, having been there for four years now. I figure, nobody would stay in a place for that long, if they didn’t genuinely love it, so that in itself spoke volumes to me and inspired me to take the leap and make the same move.
On top of that, I also felt it was the right moment in my life to embrace a change outside of basketball. I’ve always wanted to live by the beach, and being able to do so while seizing a great basketball opportunity was an offer I simply couldn’t say no to.
How have you adjusted to Newcastle living and the new team culture?
A: I think I’ve adjusted well and made a smooth transition into the team. The people here and the coaches have played a big part in that. The first day I came in the coach was standing at the door ready to welcome me. These are little things that have made the adjustment quite easy.
We have a relatively young group this year, but our captains Kate Kingham and Nicole Munger are great leaders, and their steady influence has already been great in creating a positive team culture.
We’ve had team meetings focused on our values and culture, where we emphasised the importance of being vulnerable with one another to strengthen our connections. I’ve appreciated these discussions and think it shows positive signs for a great team culture, that I already feel myself easily fitting in to.
How has your time with the caps helped to prepare you for this move?
A: My time with the Caps has helped to prepare me for this move in so many ways.
During my time with the Caps I was training against elite players like Jade Melbourne, Nyadiew Puoch and Nicole Munger, every day. I was also provided with my own gym and recovery program. This experience helped me to develop strong training habits and a level of fitness that has been really great in preparing me for this next step.
I think having connections with Nicole Munger and Meg Jefferson from the Caps, here with me in Newcastle, has also given me confidence for this move. Having familiar faces and knowing I have great connections around me has helped me to feel confident and excited about the move.
Newcastle took home the championship last year, and you have a star studded squad shaping up between yourself and fellow caps stars Nicole Munger, and Meg Jefferson. Is a championship on the cards again? And does this add an element of pressure to back up last year’s success?
A: Our main goal is definitely to win another championship.
There isn’t a huge sense of pressure. The Newcastle sponsors and fans have made little jokes here and there, which does add a bit of pressure and tension. We also know that teams are going to have a target on our backs and want to win against us, but we’ve discussed as a group that we need to be in the present and focus on the now rather than the future.
We know we need to take it week by week and get all the little things done in every game. This is what will help us be in a position at the end of the season to bring home another championship.
What are your aspirations and goals for the upcoming NBL1 season and beyond?
A: My personal goals for the season is to be really confident and assertive on court. I want to get out there and do my job and it do it at 100%.
I also have a focus to just be consistent with every bit of my training every day.
I have goals for the future and the seasons beyond… it would be great to secure a WNBL contract or have an opportunity to play in the New Zealand league.
But I also just want to be really present and focus on celebrating the moment and what I have already achieved. Obviously, I’d be so excited if those opportunities presented themselves to me, but 5-year-old me would think it’s insane that I have my own Caps singlet, and that I have an opportunity to play professionally here in Newcastle as well. So, a big goal and focus of mine is to just be fully present and enjoy every moment while I’m here, before thinking too far ahead.
Andrews is clearly poised for an exciting new chapter in her career with the Newcastle Falcons. With her talent, drive and positive mindset, it’s only a matter of time before she leaves her mark on the NBL1 East competition. There’s no doubt the best of Andrews’ basketball is still ahead, and with the future wide open, it’s exciting to imagine the opportunities that lie ahead.