Mia Satie and Emma Clarke Reflect on what is means to be a Hawk

The Hawks celebrate 50 years this year and we are are sharing several reflection stories including the journeys of some of our current players and their journey from being a Hawks junior to WABL and beyond…. This week we look at two of our outstanding NBL1 West Women’s players Emma Clarke and Mia Satie.

Current NBL1 West players Emma Clarke and Mia Satie are both Hawks Juniors who have not only gone on to play NBL1 West and  WNBL, they have been a part of Australian junior squads and teams and in Clarke’s case, senior national teams. Head NBL1 West Coach Craig Mansfield believes the Hawks prioritize a pathway of sustainable success with a focus on Hawks grown talents. He believes Emma and Mia are great examples of what is achievable in basketball, but also by using basketball as a vehicle to what broader life opportunities there are, and are two great people who reflect club values.

Coach Mansfield said ” Mia Satie and Emma Clarke are both highly talented basketball players who have come through the Hawks WABL program to NBL1, and from this were identified for Basketball WA State Teams and fortunate enough to earn selection to the Centre of Excellence (formerly AIS) for basketball.  When I started my journey with Hawks, ensuring these two Hawks juniors and now highly rated senior players, continued their basketball journey with the club, was a high priority”.

Clarke played U14 and U16 WABL and junior basketball for the Scarborough Sharks and the Newman Raiders.  She also represented her state and country at a Junior level on many occasions and in 2023 was a part of the Australian Women’s 3 on 3 teams that headed to China for a place in the World Cup. Clarke was first contracted to SBL in 2014 before heading to the AIS and then College. Clarke returned to her much loved Hawks in 2022 and has played for both the Perth Lynx and is currently contracted to the Sydney Flames.

The Hawks have been a huge part of Clarke’s very impressive basketball journey. “Being a junior Hawk to now representing the club at  NBL1 is a huge privilege. When I was in junior teams, u14s and u16s I aspired to be playing for the club at the highest level. I wouldn’t have been able to do this if it wasn’t for the relationships that I made the coaches and the community. Once you’re a hawk you’re always a hawk. Not only is everyone so welcoming at the club but there is sense of belonging. No matter where basketball takes you, the club is willing to welcome people back with open arms and unconditional support”.  

Coach Mansfield adds” Emma is also a tremendously hard worker and fits in well with all her teammates on and off the court. As runner-up league MVP last season Emma had a stand out year and secured an opportunity in the WNBL for the Sydney Flames and very clearly showed her capability at WNBL level as the season progressed.  With a strong finish to WNBL, an Australian 3×3 opportunity called and making the most of the trial, she has already been selected and toured to China to represent Australia”

Satie played Junior basketball for the Raiders before moving across to City Beach. Satie has spent all her junior and senior years at the Hawks apart from her 4 year college stint at Pepperdine University. Satie first played SBL in 2015 and was a part of the team that won the 2017 Championship though sadly she did not get to play in the actual championship game as she was required back in the USA.

Hawks means the absolute world to me. I have been playing for this amazing club since I was about 8 years old. I have made so many friends along the way, and although I am the only girl from my junior WABL team that still plays at Hawks, I still regularly see a few of those girls for catch-ups or when I play them during the NBL1 season. The NBL1 girls here at Hawks are like my sisters! We ride so many waves of emotions together and we just understand each other without having to say much. I might be biased but I seriously think we have the best bunch of girls here that genuinely like spending time with each other outside of the basketball court. The friendships I have made here at Hawks with past Coaches and past/current teammates are the type of relationship that will last a lifetime”, said Satie

Coach Mansfield is full of praise for Satie. “Working with Mia the last two years she has shown herself to be a tremendously hard worker, selfless teammate, reliable professional who interacts well with teammates and shows great leadership qualities.  I really look forward to seeing what Mia continues to do for the Hawks in the NBL1 but also how her basketball journey continues to progress”.