ABOUT CALI HOOPS
Cali Hoops Basketball is dedicated to helping Rep players uncover and explore the intricacies of their roles on the court while equipping their coaches to empower, inspire, and embrace their players' strengths and talents.
Founded on the belief that while positionless basketball plays a vital role in youth club development, players at the Representative level are often assigned positions they may not fully understand. Each role on the basketball court is critical to a team’s overall success. When players grasp the expectations and nuances of their position, they not only meet their coach’s needs more effectively but also grow into the best version of themselves within that role.
However, roles are not always static. As players develop, their positions can change. Adapting to new roles requires a willingness to pivot, learn, and embrace change. At Cali Hoops, we also guide players through this process, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to thrive, no matter where they are placed on the team.
About Coach Fern
Jessica Fern, a native of Santa Barbara, California, has been passionate about basketball ever since stepping foot on her primary school playground. Her basketball journey truly began with AAU in grades 6, 7, and 8, leading to a standout high school career as Santa Barbara High School’s Varsity starting point guard for all four years. Despite enduring back to back ACL surgeries in Years 10 and 11, she secured a basketball scholarship to Ball State University in Indiana in 1997.
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Santa Barbara, California - Jan 2025
Jessica’s playing career ended at 20 years old due to a third knee surgery, so her love for the game shifted to coaching. Beginning in her high school years, she was mentored by her high school coach and her former AAU coach, who imparted valuable insights into the game and her role as a point guard. By grade 11, Jessica was assisting at training sessions and games, gaining a deeper understanding of basketball from a coaching perspective. Over the next six years, including summers throughout college, she also coached her former AAU team, using her knowledge to develop the next generation of athletes in her city.
​That same year, Jessica won the 'Nike Lady Foot Locker Three For All' National Competition hosted at Vanderbilt University, which coincided with the inaugural WNBA season.
​Legends Sheryl Swoopes and Dawn Staley co-hosted the
competition which was an inspiring experience that fuelled
her drive as she transitioned to collegiate basketball.​​
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Ball State University, 1997
After traveling the world, Jessica settled in Australia in 2009, where her passion for coaching reignited in 2018 when her daughter picked up a basketball. Over those next five years at John Paul College (JPC), which competes in the Logan Thunder Association, she coached both her daughter’s and son’s teams, implementing her style of play and establishing best practices for those teams. She was also part of JPC’s Junior Basketball Academy from its inception, contributing through coaching and player development.
Tamborine Mountain Wolves, 2024
John Paul College, 2021
In 2022, after moving to Tamborine Mountain, Jessica became the Director of Coaching at Tamborine Mountain Basketball later that year. Over two transformative years, she elevated the Wolves Basketball Club by establishing a cohesive style of play across the club as well as providing on court player and coach support. In 2024, she took over as President focussing on streamlining operations and building a robust committee. Under her leadership, over 50% of the teams reached the playoffs, and the number of representative players participating in North Gold Coast Seahawks basketball doubled.
Jessica’s leadership, as both Director of Coaching and Interim President, has left an enduring legacy at Wolves Basketball. Now, since moving off mountain in January 2025, she plans to channel her expertise into specialized basketball clinics, creating curated opportunities for young athletes.
My True Passion...
While I love the thrill of coaching a team, my true passion lies in teaching the how, when, and why. I thrive on breaking down the mechanics of movement, providing game context, and guiding players on their personal basketball journey. Beyond the fundamentals, I love teaching mindset, leadership, and basketball IQ while fostering a relentless competitive spirit.
For me, basketball is more than a game - it’s a teacher. The court is where players discover their potential, build resilience, and learn teamwork, discipline, and self-belief. Helping young athletes uncover what they’re truly capable of brings me immense joy and keeps me coming back, season after season.
I look forward to the opportunity to help Representative basketball players unlock their potential and see what they’re truly made of. Have a question, reach out.