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Oct 13, 2025

Tess Madgen Embraces ‘Full-Circle’ Coaching Role

NBL1 South

Tess Madgen says stepping into the Bendigo Braves head coaching role feels like a “full circle moment” as she prepares to lead the club’s NBL1 South Women’s team for the next two seasons

Tess Madgen says stepping into the Bendigo Braves head coaching role feels like a “full circle moment” as she prepares to lead the club’s NBL1 Women’s team for the next two seasons. (Tess Madgen Appointed Braves Head Coach)

After a glittering playing career that included a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, multiple FIBA podiums and WNBL championships, Madgen is ready to trade her jersey for the clipboard and she admits it’s a surreal transition.

“It's a pretty full circle moment. I'm really honoured to lead the team. Obviously, the women's side has had a very successful, they have a very successful legacy winning nine championships in their history. So to be trusted to take the reins and lead them back to their glory is really an honour,” Madgen told ABC’s Weekend Breakfast.


Madgen, who also earned WNBL Life Membership in 2024, said her coaching philosophy will be rooted in connection, culture and player empowerment, values she learned from her mentors at the elite level.

“I really hope to be what they call a players coach, but Sandy Brondello is really the gold standard to me. She's obviously got the technical side down pat, but more importantly, the people side. So I hope to be a great people manager"

"I'll surround myself with other really knowledgeable basketball people to make sure we have all the technical and tactical side of the game down as well.”

As she prepares for her debut season on the sidelines, the 33-year-old knows the challenge of resisting her natural instincts as a floor general.

“Having been a captain and having that basketball IQ often, I'm kind of like the coach on the court. So hopefully I don't want to jump out there and do everything myself."

"I'm looking to recruit really great athletes, great people. Culture first is always massive for me. So I have no doubt we'll be able to put together a group that is a nice blend of Bendigo's juniors through the junior ranks and then recruit some really high level talent so we're in a great spot to compete in the competition."

"NBL1 just goes from strength to strength every year so I can't wait to get out there and help the local Bendigo girls but also some young WNBL stars on their way to achieve great things in the WNBL and also the NBL1.”


Beyond on court success, Madgen hopes her appointment encourages more women to pursue coaching roles in Australian basketball.

“We are a number two participated sport nationally in the junior ranks but I'd love to see that go up to number one and I'd love to keep more girls and women involved in the sport."

"We know that if we do have more female coaches, which is one of the reasons I decided to do this, was because as a player you cannot be what you cannot see. Now I'm trying to emulate that in the coaching ranks as well. "

"So to encourage more women to stay involved in the sport and become coaches is a huge part of why I did this and I hope the real global boom around women's basketball at the moment can keep more women and girls involved in the sport as well.”

The NBL1 South 2026 season tips off on Friday 27th March 2026. For all the latest updates, including player signings, coaching appointments and league news, make sure you’re following NBL1 South on Facebook and Instagram.