Zitina Aokuso, Inspiring the Young
The past month has seen some changes in the High Performance Team. However sad it was to say goodbye to Ben Johnson and Mick Downer, Basketball Queensland is happy to welcome new Coach Development Manager – Tom Kyle, to the team.
We managed to grab a few minutes with Tom to get some background on his past achievements and how he feels about his new role at Basketball Queensland.
Q – What does your new role at BQ entail?
A – It’s a big job! I’m going to be utilising all the skills I have picked up in my 40+ year career. Central to my role is the support of BQ in the development of coaches at associations, clubs and schools throughout Queensland. I will be the primary contact for all basketball coaches in Queensland, communicating with them via the website, email, phone and on the new BQ Coaching App’ which I will be responsible managing.
I will be calling on my years of experience working in IT as we develop all the exciting new features of the App that we have planned for the coming year. Amongst many other things I will also be planning and coordinating the delivery of the Coach Development, Education and Accreditation programs.
Q – When did you first get involved in basketball?
A – I started basketball at the age of 13.
Q – How did you first get involved in basketball?
A – I lived in the snowy mountains and needed to get involved in a sport you could play inside due to the weather conditions. I played club basketball in Cooma and played representative basketball in the ACT.
Q – What is your favourite aspect of the sport?
A – The way in which the sport also teaches people about life. To work with others so the sum of all is greater than it’s parts
Q – Do you have a favourite player or basketball idol?
A – My basketball idols were John Wooden and Dr Julius Erving (Dr J). Wooden, for being the master coach ahead of his time and his life lessons. Dr J as he was the father of the new, modern day, athletic basket baller.
Q – How long have you been coaching?
A – I have been coaching basketball for over 40 years.
Q – What is your favourite part of coaching?
A – Seeing players develop and achieve their goals. Also to have those players come up to me years after their basketball dreams have been fulfilled and say that I had made a difference in their lives.
Q – What did you do before coming to BQ?
A – I was Head Coach of the Australian Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team – The Gliders
Q – What are you looking forward to about your new role at BQ?
A – Enriching the development and growth of the great coaches around the state
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