For two current Townsville Fire players, the path to professional basketball began right here at home — in the Fire Academy.
Both Alicia Froling and Alex Fowler are shining examples of what’s possible through the Townsville Fire’s elite development pathway. Before playing college basketball in the United States and carving out successful professional careers, both athletes honed their skills and mindset through the Fire Academy right here in Townsville, a program designed to prepare young North Queenslanders for the next level of basketball.
Building a Pathway to the Pros
The Fire Academy provides aspiring female athletes from across North Queensland with access to elite coaching, strength and conditioning programs, education support, and mentoring from professional players and staff. Its focus goes beyond basketball — building discipline, resilience, and leadership that carry through on and off the court.
“Growing up in Townsville, the Fire Academy gave me the structure and support I needed to believe that playing professionally was possible,” said Alicia Froling, now one of the Fire’s most experienced forwards. “It was more than just skills training — it was about learning what it meant to be an athlete, a teammate, and part of something bigger.”
Alicia went on to play college basketball in the United States, won Gold for Australia in the Emerging Opals team and then returned to Australia, where she began her career in the WNBL clubs Her journey has now come full circle — back in Fire colours and mentoring the next generation coming through the same pathway she once did.
Following the Flame: Alex Fowler’s Rise
Alex Fowler also grew up dreaming of one day wearing the Fire uniform. A proud North Queensland product, Alex’s development through the Fire Academy set the foundation for her standout college career with the University of Portland Pilots, where she became one of the program’s most decorated players.
“I loved being in the Fire Academy,” said Fowler. “It introduced me to high-performance environments early and showed me what it takes to compete at the next level. When I went to college, I already understood the work ethic and professionalism required — that came directly from my time in the program.”
After her college career, Fowler returned to Australia and quickly made her mark in the professional ranks and internationally, with recently wining Gold at the Asia Cup and the MVP of the tournament— and now, she’s back home for the second season representing the club that first nurtured her talent.
A Proven Pathway for North Queensland Talent
For the Fire, the Academy isn’t just about producing professional players — it’s about building a sustainable future for women’s basketball in North Queensland.
Townsville Fire General Manager Sam Pascoe says the Academy is one of the club’s most important programs.
“We’re incredibly proud of what the Fire Academy represents,” Pascoe said. “It gives young athletes a clear and supported pathway to pursue their basketball dreams without needing to leave the region too early. Seeing Alicia and Alex now leading the Fire on court is living proof that the pathway works — and that elite talent can and should come from the north.”
With the Fire continuing to expand its community and development programs across regional Queensland, the message is clear — the next WNBL star could already be training right here in the Fire Academy.
“To any young player out there,” Alicia adds, “work hard, stay committed, and take every opportunity the Fire Academy gives you. It could be the start of something amazing.”
Alex agrees: “The Fire Academy was a really important part of my basketball — it gave me the chance to dream big, but also to do the work that makes those dreams real.
