HER PASSION for basketball began because of her farther – her reward for years of commitment is thanks to one of the girls she inspires.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Kate Sewell was recently awarded a local achiever award on Australia Day for her volunteer basketball coaching of Warrnambool girls.
She directed her thanks firstly to her late father Terry.
“Dad coached us as kids, and he is the reason my siblings and I are in the sport and why I continue to be involved,” she said.
“Dad was our role model as kids.”
Her second acknowledgement went to one of her players.
“I was curious as to who nominated me and as I read through the letter I received I looked for clues and I found out it was one of my under 12 squad players,” she said.
Sewell will receive her award on Tuesday after she was unable to attend the ceremony.
“Ironically on Australia Day I was in Bendigo coaching a basketball squad at a tournament,” she said.
The retired Warrnambool Mermaid and WNBL player reflected on her six-years of coaching.
“When I started, girls’ basketball had taken a downturn in Warrnambool,” she said.
“Participation numbers were down and some of the competitions were threatening that they wouldn't be able to run anymore.
“I saw that and I thought basketball is a great sport and it would be a shame for girls’ basketball to die.
“I then thought we could make some changes to try and help improve the access for girls in Warrnambool to play the sport.”
Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
