Wildcats Association Series | Addison Barnes, Mandurah Magic

Addison Barnes remembers sitting in the stands as a young Mandurah Magic junior, watching the club’s NBL1 women and imagining what it would be like to one day wear the same jersey.

Now, at just 17 years old, that moment has arrived. Barnes is in her debut NBL1 season with the Mandurah Magic, having progressed through the club’s pathway from under-12s to WABL, the Mandurah Magic NBL1 Academy, and now into the senior women’s program.

It has been a full-circle rise for the young guard, who grew up watching players such as Casey Mihovilovich lead the way for the Magic.

“I remember just being under-12 and being so excited to go watch an NBL1 game and go watch Casey Milo and the girls play, now obviously playing in the team, it’s been amazing.” Barnes said.

Barnes’ earliest basketball memories were also formed in Magic colours, with her first WABL game standing out as one of the moments that helped spark her love for the club.

From those early days, her journey has continued to build through the Mandurah system, shaped by coaches, teammates and the senior players she once looked up to from the sidelines. That pathway has taken another major step this year, with Barnes also earning selection into the Perth Lynx Academy.

As one of the youngest players in the program, Barnes is now training alongside athletes several years older than her, including players who have already completed the college pathway.

The jump in experience, physicality and pace has been significant, but it has also provided an important opportunity for growth.

Barnes said the exposure to older and more developed players has already helped expand her game, particularly in the way she reads the floor and creates offensively.

“It meant the world to me! Getting into the Lynx Academy was one of my proudest moments, especially NBL1 getting signed for that as well. It helped me come up against these older girls at the Lynx Academy to become more creative within my game.”

Balancing that development has required commitment well beyond game day. Barnes leaves Mandurah at 4am on Wednesdays to attend Lynx Academy training, before making her way to school once the session is complete.

She described the experience as difficult but exciting, with the sacrifices forming part of what it takes to keep pushing towards the next level.

Her transition into senior basketball has also been supported by the Mandurah coaching staff, including NBL1 head coach Vlad Alava, who Barnes credited with helping her adjust to the demands of playing against older and stronger opponents.

Having now experienced the step from junior basketball into the senior program, Barnes said resilience had been one of the biggest lessons of her journey so far.

For the next group of Mandurah juniors hoping to follow the same path, her message is to embrace feedback, accept setbacks as part of the process and understand the level of sacrifice required.

“If you want to take that step in basketball, you have to be prepared to give up other stuff you love. I would also say to be resilient. If you get a setback, don’t take it too hard. Take it as a learning opportunity and push forward.”

From under-12s to the senior Magic program, Barnes’ rise reflects the strength of the Mandurah pathway and the opportunities available for young players willing to commit to the work.

The player who once watched her role models from the stands is now wearing the jersey herself, giving the next generation of Magic juniors a new example to follow.

Catch Mandurah Magic in action as they take on the Warwick Senators at home: Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre.

Saturday 27 June

Women: 5:00pm AWST
Men: 7:00pm AWST