Amy Waters loving life and living the dream in Australia

AS the dust settles on what was an incredible weekend of basketball for the Brunell Basketball Club, one of their stars from the past, Amy Waters was eagerly watching and cheering on her former teammates to National Cup glory for Australia. 

Amy had been the heartbeat of their Super League team, along with Danielle and Megan O’Leary, and Edel Thornton in their early days playing at Super League level. 

However, she took the decision to emigrate to Australia with her boyfriend Shane Buckley after the 2019 season and they are really loving their new life abroad.

Before Amy left to go to Australia, she was playing Super League basketball with Brunell. 

She played with Brunell since she was six years-old.  She started in the nursery with Ken Foley. 

She played all the way through the ranks winning U18 and U20 National Cup medals under coach Kieran 0’Leary. 

Amy started playing Super League when she was 16 year- old and in that time she won the Young Player of the year and was picked on the All-Star team by her piers in the League. 

She also represented Ireland at U18 level and went on to win National Player of the year. 

Amy then went on to play in FIBA Small Nations Championship’s with the Irish Senior Women’s team that was held at the Mardyke Arena.

“I played my last women’s Super League game a few weeks before I left Ireland in October 2019 and it’s a decision I have never regretted," Amy said.

“I work as an early childhood teacher in the Melbourne area and I am a team leader in the community-based childcare centre. 

"I landed on my feet really when I arrived in Australia, as I got lucky with this job and I have progressed in my career and I’m constantly learning all of the time.

“When I arrived in Australia I started playing Gaelic football for Garyowen GAA Club. 

"I play in midfield with the club and I fell in love playing a similar sport to basketball. 

"The footwork and skills I had learnt playing basketball were a great advantage to me when I started to play football. 

"When football season ended, I played basketball for a short time, but not a very high standard and I still like to go and shoot around in outdoor courts and play for fun with some of the new friends I have met here.

“The biggest thing I miss from home the most is my family, my mam (Maeve), dad (Connie), my brother Kieran, his girlfriend Cora and my little niece Abbie!

"My boyfriend Shane Buckley also has lots of nieces and nephews and we are God parents to some, so that makes it harder being on other side of the world and not getting to see all our families and friends.

“However, we have no regrets about moving to Australia.

"We have a great lifestyle here and have made great friends while travelling and seeing the world. 

"We find things a lot easier in Australia to work, rent, and have a life in comparison to when we lived in Ireland. 

"I am very lucky to have my oldest brother Neil living here in Melbourne as well with his wife Etaein O’Hailpin and their two children Levi and Tilly, which makes things a little easier for us. 

"We also enjoy when our families come visit us here, as it gives us a chance to show them our wonderful lifestyle.

“I like to keep in touch with the basketball in Ireland through the different streams and Apps and I'm impressed with the standard of both the Leagues. 

"I think more people are playing basketball at present and there is a lot of talent coming up through the younger age groups. 

"The standard in the Irish International teams has also improved with both the Men’s and Women’s teams competing with other big countries.

"More younger players are getting opportunities to go to America on scholarships which is also great to see.

"I am very happy to see mu old club Brunell doing so well this year, especially after getting the sad news when Andrew Drumm sadly past way before Christmas. 

"Andrew was a huge part of my memories of playing with the club and he did so much for everyone who was part of Brunell. 

"It was fitting tribute that the Nellies won the National Cup last week in his memory.

"I had a lump in my throat after watching the final.

“Right now we are very happy where we are, and we plan to get permanent residency this year. 

"But we don’t plan to stay here forever.

"Ireland will always be home."