91ĹÝÜ˝

A basketball coach who transformed and elevated the women’s game at 91ĹÝÜ˝ has been inducted into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame.

Allison McNeill coached the SFU women’s team from 1988-2001, leading them to unprecedented heights. 

Her success at SFU caught the attention of Canadian Olympic officials, who appointed her to lead the women’s national team. 

Under her stewardship, the national team qualified for the London 2012 Olympics, their first appearance at an Olympic Games in 12 years. 

Speaking about the award, McNeill says: “It’s just a huge honour and I’m very proud of everything that we achieved. Individual honours in team sports always seem strange, so really it represents all the players, coaches and staff that I’ve worked with over the years.”

McNeill grew up in Princeton, B.C., and enjoyed playing numerous sports. But despite being “only 5 feet 3 inches tall,” as she puts it, it was basketball that she loved best. 

“I love the team aspect of it, I love how you have to play together, nothing can be done if you try to do it on your own,” she says. 

“You have to have a good team around you. But I also like that you can work on it on your own. I’d go to the outdoor courts and practice a lot on my own. So I liked that you had a team aspect, but then you could make yourself better.” 

McNeill was just 28 when she was appointed coach of the women’s team at SFU. She fought hard for the team, helping to bring success on the court and raising the profile of the women’s game. 

“It was really a turning point for women’s basketball at SFU, maybe even women’s sport,” says McNeill, who stacked up an impressive 363-79 win-loss record over 13 seasons. 

“We were doing really well. I remember the first time we packed out the West Gym. We were downstairs in the team room and they players were like: ‘Why are all these people lined up?’ I was like, ‘they’re coming to watch you play.’ They couldn’t believe it.

“We sold out quite a few times and that was pretty unheard of at that time, even today there aren’t too many schools in Canada selling out their gym for basketball. It was a really exciting time.” 

“When we got to the Games, we played really well and just missed out on getting to the medal round. But I think that group of players changed basketball for the national team. The senior women’s national team has gone on to qualify for every Olympics since London – four straight!”

So what’s the secret to being a good coach? 

“It’s the relationships you build. I think I was, and still am, good at listening to the players, being open to new ideas, letting them have some autonomy,” says McNeill, who now mentors female coaches, alongside some basketball coaching. 

“Knowing the players off court, caring about their life away from basketball. You win some games, but at the end of the day you’re coaching people. That’s kind of your legacy, the women who leave your coaching and carry on doing great things.” 

Breanne Watson, director, SFU athletics, says: “Allison played a pivotal role in laying the foundation for SFU women’s basketball. Over 13 seasons, she achieved an extraordinary 82 per cent winning percentage – a testament to her leadership and coaching acumen. 

“Coach McNeill’s lasting impact on Burnaby Mountain, combined with her contributions to Canada Basketball make this recognition truly well-deserved.”