These days, a fair bit of my non‑clinical life unfolds in basketball stadiums, where my nearly 11‑year‑old son is busy living his dream. Sitting courtside one day, I found myself reflecting on the unexpected parallels between basketball and supervision. In basketball, great teams thrive not just because of individual talent but because of the structure, mentoring, and trust that allow players to perform at their best. General practice supervision is much the same. Supervisors act as both coaches and on-court leaders – reading the play, offering timely guidance, and creating the safe learning environment students and registrars need to build confidence. Like a seasoned point guard who anticipates the next pass, supervisors help learners develop clinical foresight and situational awareness, ensuring that quality patient care remains at the centre of every decision.

Just as basketball demands continuous skill development, adaptation, and collaboration, so too does general practice. Each interaction – whether a parallel consulting moment, a debrief, or a teachable clinical scenario – resembles a well-executed play: deliberate, reflective, and grounded in shared purpose. Supervisors model professionalism, resilience, and teamwork, fostering habits that stay with learners throughout their careers. And importantly, they remind future GPs that while the pressure can be high, they are never alone on the court.

As the season continues, our role as supervisors is to keep strengthening the team. By investing in our learners, supporting our colleagues, and championing high-quality supervision, we set up the whole profession for a winning future. Together, we create a thriving, high‑performing general practice community – one where every player knows their role, every learner feels supported, and every patient benefits from the combined skill of a cohesive, well‑coached team.

2026 has commenced at pace with many sector meetings, strategic planning weekends and a general sense that everyone hit ‘go’ on 1 January! It’s been a whirlwind of collaboration, coffee-fuelled conversations, and big-picture thinking as we set the tone for what’s shaping up to be a lively and productive year ahead.

As the newly appointed Chair of General Practice Supervision Australia (GPSA), I am honoured to step into this role and continue the vital work of advocating for, supporting, and strengthening our national community of GP supervisors. I look forward to working closely with many of you over the coming year as we navigate significant changes, and opportunities, within the training landscape.