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Herald Sun
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Why Shyla Heal joins Geelong United and dealing with dad Shane Heal's legacy
Shyla Heal knocked back big overseas offers for a homecoming at Geelong United in a bid to win a WNBL championship and honour her dad's legacy. Heal weighed up a return to Europe – where she starred as a top-five scorer in Turkey – but the lure of joining a talented United side was too appealing. She revealed she was sold on the club's vision for success and the chance to don her father Shane's old No.23 singlet from his NBL stint with the defunct Geelong Supercats in the early 90s. 'So, I wasn't looking at any other WNBL team because I really believe in United's ownership,' Heal told CODE Sports. 'I respect coach Chris Lucas. He has been around for a while and he is really experienced. I've had a few calls with Chris and the management and I'm excited about what they are doing with Geelong and that is really why I'm going there. 'Dad also had nothing but good things to say about Geelong. He loved his time there, the city and the organisation. 'Hearing that gave me confidence in going there as well. I'm also going to be wearing 23 like dad did, so I'll wind the clock back a little bit.' Heal is happy with her choice to link with Geelong, but concedes it wasn't easy to ignore multiple lucrative deals on offer in Europe. She excelled during stints in Poland, Israel and France before joining the Turkish league, which is rated the best domestic competition in Europe. Heal impressed with Tarsus Belediyesi Mersin as one of the league's premier scorers, only further enhancing her reputation as a sought after free agent. For all the positives, she says Europe was also a 'grind' with no family and some teammates who didn't speak English. And while Heal confirmed she will go back to Europe for a short stint post the WNBL26 season, for now she is locked in on winning a title on home soil. She also hasn't had an Aussie summer in two years, so there is a lot of appeal about signing with Geelong. 'I'm only 23 years old and I feel like this is the right thing to do for me right now,' she said. 'I've established myself in Europe, so I know the offers are going to keep coming. 'I'm really coming back to Geelong because I want to win a championship and I have confidence that we can do that. 'Chris is building a really good team and playing in the backcourt with Jaz Shelley and I think we're going to make a really good combination. 'We've got some other pieces like Gemma Potter and Alex Sharp – some good Australian local talent. 'I think when we add two American imports to that we'll be in pretty good shape.' TOUGH TIMES MAKE YOU STRONGER Heal's hoops journey has been littered with challenges. From being waived by two WNBA clubs in Dallas and recently Phoenix to missing out on Australian national teams, she has experienced her fair share of setbacks. It hasn't been an easy road for Heal, but she insists the hard times will only make her a better player and person. 'I mean, most 23 year-olds are just coming out of college,' she said. 'I'm heading into my ninth season as a pro and I've been to the WNBA twice now. 'I've done so many different things, but it's crazy because this is just the beginning for me. 'My career is just starting and that is the best thing for me. 'There has been ups and downs, but there are always going to be setbacks and that is what I tell the young girls all the time. 'You need to expect to have setbacks because it is going to happen. It is about how you handle the setbacks and how you bounce back from it.' One of the toughest times for Heal was her stint with the Sydney Flames during the 2022/23 WNBL season. In January of that season, she parted ways with the Flames alongside her dad amid bullying allegations levelled at Shane, who was coaching the side. Earlier this year, Heal's defamation case against the Sydney Flames and Hoops Capital was also dismissed by the Supreme Court of NSW. 'It was a difficult and a very unique situation, but at the same time I'm always going to have my dad's back,' Shyla said. 'I'm a family girl. 'Going to Townsville was a great move and I won a championship, so it all turned out pretty well.' Heal has long dealt with comparisons to her father Shane following his successful career. Asked if she feels like she is treated unfairly because of her dad, she said: 'I feel like I'm always going to get judgement because my dad was one of the best shooters in Australia. 'But honestly, I have a small circle of people I trust and anyone outside of that, I don't care what they think. 'That is their opinion and it has nothing to do with me and I've learnt that from a young age. 'So, I couldn't care less and I just be happy, play ball and do me.' OPALS HAPPENS IF IT HAPPENS Heal has long harboured a desire to don Australia's green and gold at a major tournament like the World Cup or Olympics. It's a goal she is yet to fulfil having only represented the Opals at the 2023 Asia Cup in Sydney, helping the team claim a bronze medal. And while Heal won't give up on her dream, she is determined not to let noise surrounding her potential selection bring her down. 'It (the Opals) used to be a really big goal, but I'm not too stressed about it anymore,' she said. 'I'm more excited about building myself and my financial situation and just really being happy, on-and-off the court and taking things as they come. 'If it (the Opals) happens, awesome, but if it doesn't I'm not too stressed about it.' Originally published as Shyla Heal reveals the pitch that lured her to Geelong United despite lucrative Euro offers
News.com.au
20 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Shyla Heal on Geelong United homecoming
Shyla Heal knocked back big overseas offers for a homecoming at Geelong United in a bid to win a WNBL championship and honour her dad's legacy.
