By Lisa Parent

Australian basketball players happy with decision to move to Medicine Hat

Apr 21, 2023 | 5:07 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Moving across the world for school can be a scary, yet exciting experience for recent high school graduates.

Three Australian basketball players took a chance and moved to Medicine Hat, joining the Medicine Hat College Rattler’s.

Guard and forward Jordan Biggar says he felt a strong pull to experience new places after graduating, which led him to Alberta.

“My thinking behind it was that you’re only young once, why not go explore the world while you can, and like, you get to come to a pretty awesome place and to meet new people,” he said.

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This seemed to be a common theme for the trio of basketball players.

Year one player Ethan Robinson was initially hesitant to leave Australia, but a phone call from the Rattler’s offered a special opportunity to explore the world.

His move was made official after encouragement from his family.

“I got the opportunity to come to Medicine Hat, and then I ran it by my mom, and like J said you only live once, you might as well go experience a really cool part of the world, and I was like ‘alright’, well Medicine Hat I’ve never really heard of it, never seen them on the map. We spoke about it, we looked into the details and I thought this was a great place to go,” said Robinson, elaborating on the decision making process.

Robinson was determined to become a part of the community, and his team helped him adjust quickly by offering support when needed.

“They helped me by getting solidified in the community, making sure I know everyone who I need to know, the important people. So it’s been really helpful,” he notes.

Team captain Cooper Ward says he’s enjoyed his time with the Rattlers because of Medicine Hat’s welcoming nature.

“This is one of the best places I’ve ever played, it’s always electric. Even if maybe the score isn’t the best, the fans are always still bumping and stuff like that,” he explained.

After college, Robinson and Ward plan to return to Australia, but Jordan Biggar wants to settle in Medicine Hat.

“I’d love to stay in Medicine Hat, I wanna get an education degree here and teach here,” he said.

Biggar hopes to stay involved in the Medicine Hat basketball community in years to come.

He does this by sharing his passion for basketball with younger players at summer camps.

All three Australian players plan on returning to Medicine Hat for the 2022-2023 Rattler’s basketball season beginning in September.