#WomenWillWin – Keely Froling

This week, we sat down with WNBL role model, Keely Froling, who is only 23 years old but is making waves in the league.When your Mum and Dad are both accomplished players in the sport, Basketball would be the first sport you’ll ever know as a child. But that wasn’t the case for Keely who only started playing at age of nine. Nevertheless, she has snagged two gold medals and has moved on to play for the Canberra Capitals.

Improving Her Game

Keely credits every new experience as a chance for her to improve her game. “It’s a big step-up to play in the Women’s National Basketball League; you’re surrounded by great players and that makes you a better player,” said Keely. “I’ve felt that my game has grown tremendously in the WNBL due to playing with or competing against amazing players. Training two-to-three times a day with great coaches has certainly helped me improve, too.”

Influence of Basketball to Keely

The sport has been a huge influence on her life, as she says that without it she’d never have reached where she is now. “Basketball has helped me grow because it exposes you to things that normally you wouldn’t reach until being older; for example, always travelling with a team and moving away from home early really meant I had to grow up.” Basketball has even helped her life is less expected ways, developing skills to be used off the court as well. “I’ve greatly improved my time management skills due to being constantly busy with basketball or uni. I have to keep track of due dates and travel plans and need to make sure my coaches and professors are all up-to-date and everyone is on the same page.”

Worst Moment in Basketball

According to Keely, even the worst moments in basketball can lead to a blessing in disguise. “I tore my ACL while I was overseas for college. It was a really hard time for me because I missed the Under 19’s World Champs and was struggling being away from Australia; the injury helped me decide to come home, which was the best decision I’ve ever made. I got my knees fixed here with great physio and my game improved in a way it never would have in college.” The injury pushed Keely to consider her future and even introduced her to a new calling. “I am now halfway through a physiotherapy degree at the University of Canberra so that when I do finish playing I’ll have a job that I enjoy and can hopefully keep me involved in the sport.”

Keely’s Future Plans

Despite being prepared, Keely has no intention of retiring any time soon. “I see myself continuing to play in the WNBL while I finish my uni degree, which will hopefully be in the next two years. Then I would love to play overseas somewhere and experience a different league. World Uni games is coming around later this year also, and it’s a big goal of mine to be back on that team to defend our gold medal.”

Impact of Basketball to Keely as a Woman

Keely finished with general gratitude to the sport that’s directly responsible for making her the woman she is today. “Not only has basketball taken me around the world and introduced me to the greatest friends, it also has provided an opportunity for me to study in a field that I was exposed to due to basketball — and the several injuries I picked up playing it.”