From campus courts to Commonwealth Games gold
Gold medals, international tournaments and European basketball contracts were not part of Lara McSpadden's immediate plan when she arrived at CQUniversity as an aspiring teacher.
Inspired by the educators who helped shape her own school experience, Lara enrolled in a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) with the goal of one day making a positive difference in the lives of young people.
But while completing her degree in Rockhampton, she was also building an elite basketball career. Supported through CQUniversity's Elite Athlete Program (EAP) and the University's partnership with Rockhampton Basketball, Lara learned to balance study, training and competition, laying the foundations for success both on and off the court.
Those foundations have since taken her around the world, from professional basketball opportunities overseas to representing Australia on the international stage. Most recently, she helped the Australian Gangurrus secure Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow.
Inspired by the teachers who had a lasting impact on her own life, Lara said education was always her first passion.
"I knew becoming a teacher was my dream when I was in Year 11, where I had the best PDHPE teacher, Mrs Coburn at the time, who I aspired to be like when I grew up," she said.
"My high school year advisor, Mr Darnbrough, also played a massively influential and impactful role in my wellbeing at school.
"Becoming a high school teacher means so much to me because I know that someday I'll have the chance to impact young people's lives the way Mrs Coburn and Mr Darnbrough impacted mine."
Pursuing that dream while competing at an elite level required careful planning and plenty of determination.
"The biggest challenges were managing my time and making sure I dedicated the appropriate amount of attention to each discipline when I needed to," Lara said.
"Holding high standards of performance in both was tough with my schedule but also ensuring I was enjoying my life as a young person and doing things that would fill my cup was important as well."
Lara said succeeding in both study and sport would not have been possible without the support she received at CQUniversity.
"The EAP scholarship became essential in managing the workload of completing my degree and succeeding on court, especially towards the end of my degree in my fourth year," she said.
"I was never in a class where I couldn't communicate my needs with my lecturers or wasn't supported in a way that would help me manage both studying and playing."
She also credits several people from her time at CQUniversity with helping shape her journey, including EAP leader Aaron Scanlan and Associate Vice-President Kim Harrington.
"Aaron Scanlan was the head of the EAP program for each of the four years I studied at CQU. We built a great relationship, not only through taking his Sports and Exercise Physiology class in my second year, but also through working together within the EAP program," she said.
"Kim Harrington played a large role in the partnership between CQU and the Rockhampton Cyclones, so I owe a lot to her for the sporting scholarship I received through playing for the Rockhampton Cyclones and the other numerous benefits the partnership meant for the association."
Living on campus also helped simplify the demands of student life, training and competition.
"Having access to onsite facilities meant I could spend more time dedicated to studying or resting rather than having to use that time getting to and from wherever I needed to be," Lara said.
The experience of balancing university and elite sport also helped Lara develop skills she continues to draw on in her basketball career today.
"I've found time management a skill that I've carried through my sporting career especially," she said.
"In addition to being able to self-reflect on performance, seek and apply feedback, and also the ability to work in group environments."
Since graduating, Lara's basketball career has continued to flourish, with highlights including playing professionally overseas, becoming a Diabetes Australia ambassador and representing Australia in 3x3 basketball.
Her latest achievement came in Glasgow, where the Gangurrus women's team secured Commonwealth Games gold after recently recording Australia's best-ever result at a FIBA 3x3 World Cup.
"The experience was unimaginable," Lara said.
"I can only compare it to what I think would be like a mini-Olympics. You live with other Australian athletes from a wide variety of sports; you get to watch and support other Australian athletes and also explore a new place like a tourist."
When the final buzzer sounded, Lara said she was overwhelmed with pride and gratitude.
"Being from such a small group, I knew I'd been a part of something that only very few people would get to be a part of in the history of the sport.
"My whole family was there as well. To share that moment with them in the crowd is something I'm going to remember forever."
Lara attributes the team's undefeated campaign to both talent and culture.
"We have some of the most talented 3x3 players in the world on our team, but also players with a never-say-die attitude and a mentality of doing whatever it takes to win," she said.
"We also made time to connect off court, which has a genuine translation to the on-court connection."
Representing Australia remains one of the greatest honours of her career.
"You're representing so many things at once, including the individual effort it took to get there, the sacrifice of not only you but your family, the efforts of everyone who helped you get there, and most importantly the hard-working, selfless optimistic character of every Australian back home," Lara said.
While her achievements on the court continue to grow, Lara believes some of the most significant gains from her time at CQUniversity were personal.
"When I think about the student who arrived at CQU compared to the person I am today, I am more confident in who I am as a person," she said.
"I know what I stand for and what I want to do for the people around me. I owe a lot of this assurance to the time I spent at CQU."
Now a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, university graduate and international athlete, Lara encourages young women not to choose between education and sport.
"It can definitely be done, and you shouldn't be apprehensive to try," she said.
"Whilst the demands of doing both at the same time are high, the support and success you will feel from doing both are worth far more than not trying at all."
Dreaming of combining elite sport and study? CQUniversity supports student-athletes to succeed both on and off the field through scholarships, tailored academic support and flexible learning options. Find out more about CQU's Sport Strategy.
