Reid all about it: Steph ready to craft Tasmanian chapter

Excitement in Tasmania continues to build as the days tick down to the Jewels' historic first WNBL game on October 15.

That clash against Geelong at MyState Bank Arena has the whole state buzzing, with years of planning going into this fixture. Another reason for the excitement is Australian Opal Steph Reid, who is a landmark signing for the Apple Isle.

"Everything I heard about them [Tasmania], it just aligned with what I wanted to do in the next step in my career," Reid said on The Loop.

"I wanted to come home [after a couple of seasons abroad], I was ready to play in the WNBL [again].

"I really resonate with the underdog mentality and the close community aspect. I played in Townsville for four years and something I loved up there was the proximity to the community and having the fan base being so connected.

"I knew that Tasmania obviously had done that so well with the JackJumpers, so that was something that really caught my eye.

"The legacy piece, of going to a new club and being able to start a new franchise, just felt like the perfect fit.

"It's such a privilege to be the first marquee player in a club's history, and I am really grateful they trust me with that.

"I'm really excited to get to it and hopefully make them very proud."

Point guard Reid joins Claudia Brassard's side after two seasons in Hungary with EuroCup side Sopron Basket.

The 30-year-old explained this time abroad helped elevate her game and open opportunities such as her first-ever World Cup this year in Germany.

"Getting in an environment that made me so uncomfortable [like Hungary], forced myself to grow," she said.

"In the Euro Cup, playing in different countries every week, playing different styles, and going into a system that I didn't know, really challenged myself.

"I've been given so much feedback from Opals over the years, like I wasn't playing fast enough or my strength wasn't in transition.

"So I had the goal to go into a new place, establish myself and build on my game in the ways that I knew I was probably lacking.

"That made me a much more complete player.

"Being in so many different environments, you learn so much about yourself. From cultural differences, to differences in team dynamics and being the import.

"I've never been in an environment where it was like, you're expected to perform every single week and if you don't, there is actually a chance you get fired.

"Going into that environment and having so much stress, pressure, being able to cope, I just feel like I can really tackle anything now and that's given me another level of confidence."

Read more >> From Jewel to Opal: Reid's precious rise to the World Cup

The Frankston junior will carry that confidence and experience into year one in Tasmania, where Reid and fellow Opals, Darcee Garbin and Keely Froling will lay the foundations for future success.

"It's absolutely imperative to have a good foundation of leadership and we've been chatting weekly, about how we want things to work," she said.

"We're building how we know each other as leaders. We know where we complement each other, and like to lead in different ways.

"We know it's going to be so important in building the culture of the program for the Jewels moving forward, and if we can get that right, it sets the club up for a really great future."

Reid is now preparing for her maiden World Cup in Berlin, but once she returns, all her focus will be making a successful start to the season for the Jewels, tipping off on October 15 against the Venom.

"Honestly, [games like the season-opener against Geelong] are a big reason why I wanted to go to Tassie because I knew that these [special] moments would be there," she said.

"I've heard so many different people wanting to be at that game and I mean what a cool opportunity.

"I'm so excited and we can't wait to fill MyState Bank Arena for the first game."

That fixture, slated to tip off at 7pm AEST, will open the fast-approaching WNBL season.