New mother Ciabattoni embarks on coaching journey at Slammers

Written for NBL1 West by Chris Pike

Twelve months ago Alex Ciabattoni was playing in the WNBL Grand Final for the Perth Lynx. Fast forward and she is now a mother and is embarking on life as a head coach for the NBL1 West season in 2023 at the South West Slammers.

It's been quite the ride in recent years for Ciabattoni and while becoming a head coach at 28 years of age might not have been on her bucket list, and she's not closing the door on playing again at some point, she's excited to be in charge of the Slammers women in 2023.

Life transformation the last 12 months

On the back of an impressive WNBL season where she played a key role in the backcourt behind WNBA stars Jackie Young and Marina Mabrey in a team that took the Melbourne Boomers to three games in the Grand Final, Ciabattoni went on to play nine games last NBL1 West season at the Slammers.

However, once she became pregnant, Ciabattoni had to take a backseat from playing and what a 12 months it's been. She is now engaged to James Goodlad, also a former Slammers player, and the pair have since welcomed their first child, Elijah, into the world as of January.

Ciabattoni is still open to the prospect of returning to play at some stage in the future and time is certainly on her side to get back to playing in the NBL1 and then if all things going well, you wouldn’t rule out the possibility of her getting back into the WNBL.

Already, it's a playing career Ciabattoni deserves to be proud of. Having grown up in Adelaide, she attended Newman University before beginning her WNBL career at the Adelaide Lightning where she was Rookie of the Year in 2016.

She has since spent time playing in the WNBL at the Lynx along with stints in Italy and playing throughout the SBL/NBL1 West with the Kalamunda Eastern Suns, Rockingham Flames, and then last year, the Slammers.

It was at the Flames where Ciabattoni starred in the last ever SBL championship in 2019 before returning to the Lynx and ending up a key part of that Grand Final team in the 2021/22 season.

Throw in that Ciabattoni is now engaged and a mother, and about to begin life as a head coach, and it's not lost on her what a ride it's been especially when you consider she was playing in a WNBL Grand Final this time last year.

"Yea the last 12 months have been pretty crazy," Ciabattoni said. 

"Everything I was doing has pretty much changed. It's the longest I have ever gone without playing and has changed my life but it has also opened up different doors for me such as getting the chance to coach and spend more time with my family."

Getting ready for coaching debut

Not only is Ciabattoni juggling being a new mum, but she's also taking on the role as a head coach for the first time and is charged with attempting to improve the competitiveness of the Slammers in 2023 on the back of a one-win season in 2022.

After the bye in the opening round with the men's team suffering a 61-point loss in Geraldton, Ciabattoni's coaching debut will now take place on Easter Thursday with the Slammers playing host the Mandurah Magic at Eaton Recreation Centre.

Now that the reality is here and Ciabattoni is within touching distance of coaching her first game, there's an equal mixture of nerves and excitement creeping in.

However, she does feel having that connection with the club and players having played with the Slammers last year has helped.

"I'm excited and nervous it's been really enjoyable so far but it has also been a big learning experience for me personally," Ciabattoni said.

"Playing last year has helped me understand the dynamics of the club and also build a relationship with the girls. They are such a great group to be around and we're such great team mates so applying for the coaching role was an easy decision."

Slammers prospects in 2023

Ciabattoni is realistic to know that it's a big task for the Slammers to climb back up the table after winning just one game in 2022 on the back of no wins in 2021 and none in 2020, but she's confident they will at least be significantly more competitive throughout 2023.

"The team has come together nicely we are obviously a young group but they have worked really hard all off season," she said. 

"For myself and my assistant Jason chalk we both just want to see the girls be competitive, improve as a team and individual and challenge teams. 

"We know we have our work cut out for us but if at the end of the season everyone can walk away knowing they are better than they were at the start than we will be happy. "

Coaching, potential playing future

Ciabattoni always felt that she might like to get into coaching at some point because of the work she had done with juniors. 

While she never expected it to come this soon, she is thankful to the Slammers for entrusting her in the role and playing isn’t something she's ruling out, but she's also not thinking of it right now.

"I was always interested in coaching and have enjoyed coaching juniors but didn't think I would get to the NBL1 level. I am definitely grateful to Slammers for this opportunity and taking a chance on me," Ciabattoni said.

"I haven't closed the door to playing again it will just be a matter of when I am able to commit again. I am very competitive and if I come back I want to make sure I am in shape and can help the team at whatever level that may be."

Life as a mother

As for the first three months as life as a mother, it's been quite the learning curve like it is for any first time parent, but Ciabattoni wouldn’t change a thing.

"I'm loving being a mum it is the best thing I have ever done," she said. 

"Although it has its challenges and anyone who knows me knows how much I love sleep so it's been a big adjustment it's so much more than I could have imagined. 

"I have been really fortunate that he is pretty easy going and I have great support network who are always there to help."