Damien & Ameliaranne Ekenasio
For Damien Ekenasio, a sixteen year semi-professional Basketball career with Wellington Saints wasn’t in the plan after leaving school to pursue Opera singing. Within a few years Damien found himself touring the country with RnB/Hip-Hop group called ‘Beatrootz’. A man who loves to have multiple things on the go at once, Ekenasio decided to turn up to an open-trial for the Wellington Saints Basketball team. Fast-forward sixteen years, he had five NBL championships under his belt and had lead the side as Captain. After calling it quits, he was keen to stay in the sport, which has lead him to become the General Manager of Capital Basketball. Damien is looking to teach kids more than just the skill of the game and is focused on developing their resilience and prepare them for the challenges that life can through at you.
For Silver Ferns Captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio, the journey of her Netball career has not been a smooth one. Born in Australia, Ekenasio had her first professional Netball contract soon after finishing high school for the Queensland Firebirds. But for four seasons found herself sitting on the bench, with even one season not even touching the court. Considering giving it all up and going travelling, Ameliaranne was given an opportunity to play for the Wellington Pulse. Ekenasio decided to take a ‘leap of faith’ and move to the country of her father’s birth. This chance proved to be a successful one, as within a year she was making international debut for the Silver Ferns. However, over the next few years she faced some her biggest challenges, with the tragic loss of her mother, in and out of the Silver Ferns and missing out on the 2015 World Cup Squad. Ameliaranne could of easily given up if it wasn’t for meeting her future husband Damien, who gave her so much love and support during these tough times.
In 2017, they welcomed their first child Ocean and Ameliaranne was determined to get back to the court as soon as possible. Expecting it to be a smooth transition, Ameliaranne found herself sitting on the bench for the Wellington Pulse, while still a contracted Silver Fern. Another test to be faced, but this time with the help of Damien, Ameliaranne decided she needed to focus on ‘controlling the controllables’. She was able to fight her way back into the national side, only to have her worst performance in the black jersey for new coach Noeline Taurua. This resulted in Ameliaranne getting dropped and not selected for the next series. It was at this time she decided she needed to do a lot of soul searching and work out the type of person she wanted to be on and off the court. Ekenasio decided to completely let go of all of her insecurities, be completely open and vulnerable with the Silver Ferns squad.
A new found freedom proved to be the recipe for success, with 2019 proving to be Ekenasio’s most successful season. Winning the ANZ premiership with the Pulse, the World Cup with the Silver Ferns, winning Player of the Year and being named as the new Silver Ferns Captain. A remarkable twelve-month turnaround that is truly inspirational for any sportsperson thinking that they can’t pick themselves up after a setback. In this episode, the Ekenasio’s share their journey with host van Beek; starting with how they have gotten on in 2020 so far; their early lessons growing up; a tragic loss turning into a love story; the ups and downs of a sporting career; how they both want to share the learning’s of their journeys with the next generation.
Chapters
The year 2020 - How the Ekenasio's found the year so far? (3:35)
Childhood - Key learnings? Family influences? Opportunities? (6:49)
Damien training as an Opera singer and touring with RnB/Hip Hop band 'Beatrootz' (12:10)
The moment Ameliaranne decided she wanted to be a Professional Netball player (16:00)
The 'Penny Drop Moment' that Damien realised he wanted to give Basketball a good crack (22:10)
Ameliaranne taking a 'Leap of Faith' to move to New Zealand for a fresh start (27:14)
The feeling debuting for the Silver Ferns - "One of the most unreal experiences" (30:52)
A Tragic Loss, a New Home and a Love Story (34:10)
The twists & turns of Ameliaranne's early Silver Ferns career – missing out on the 2015 World Cup Squad (43:26)
Transition into Motherhood - Having a baby in the middle of a Professional Netball career in 2017 (48:03)
In a rush to get back into Netball and finding herself stuck on the bench for the Wellington Pulse – The start of the turnaround… (50:49)
Just when things were looking up, Ameliaranne played her worst game for the Silver Ferns and got dropped - How she managed to pick herself up again and was able to make a major improvements Mentally. (58:21)
The Silver Ferns ‘deep and meaningful team chat’ that started their epic turnaround – connecting on a deeper level (1:03:17)
How do you create a Safe Zone and Trusting environment to let people be who they are within a Team? (1:11:08)
Amelia recieving the call that she was going to become the Silver Ferns Captain (1:19:01)
Damien & Ameliaranne’s advice for young sportspeople (1:24:55)
Where are Damien and Ameliaranne in 10 years time? (1:32:14)