Tracy Village Jets star Kylie Duggan recognised by Basketball Australia for mentoring and coaching roles

TERRITORY sporting star Kylie Duggan was recognised by Basketball Australia on International Women’s Day for her coaching support to the next generation of Top End basketballers

Kylie Duggan has been recognised for her mentor role in Northern Territory basketball. Picture: Michael Franchi

TERRITORY sporting star Kylie Duggan was recognised by Basketball Australia on International Women’s Day for her coaching support to the next generation of Top End basketballers.

Duggan has been playing the game of basketball for 30 years, winning plenty of championships and individual awards with her Tracy Village outfit, and she was an integral part of the Jets’ remarkable run of 13-straight DBA titles.

It isn’t just on the basketball court where she plays the mentor role, with her captaincy a constant source of inspiration for Darwin Buffettes in the Women’s Premier League.

And with her daughter Kaylani, 14, taking up basketball the star decided to give back to the sport in the form of coaching.

MORE NT SPORT STORIES

The NT News reveals the Women’s team of the year midfield of the NTFL 2020-21 season

Star Wanderers midfielder Shaun Mannagh says Muk Muks will lift for banned captain Braedon McLean

NTFL 2020-21: Nightcliff Tigers’ Brodie Filo dominates finals week two stats

The Buffettes’ most recent outing saw the young side beat minor premiers PINT to climb directly into the grand final, a result Duggan would have been more than proud of.

“For me it was pretty easy because basketball is in my genes and runs in the family. I started playing when I was five, so I was one of the youngest in the team,” Duggan said.

“I didn’t ever think coaching would be a thing for me. It only really started when my daughter started playing.

“That was my way of giving something back to the club with my basketball experience.

“I was at the games as a mum anyway but that’s how I got started in coaching. As the years go by it’s definitely something I want to do fulltime when I finish playing basketball.”

Cousin Timmy Duggan is also a big supporter of Indigenous hoops, after founding the Hoops 4 Health program and inspiring Duggan to get involved in Indigenous coaching.

Timmy was a big influence in his cousin’s involvement in the current Indigenous Community Basketball League in Darwin.

For the Tracy Village star, mentoring is not just about developing basketball skills but also developing good and successful people.

And as a program coordinator with the Stars Foundation at Casuarina Senior College, she helps develop full-time support programs for girls in schools with the aim of health and education.

“It’s obviously my passion. I want to see the girls have confidence and try to achieve their best and achieve their dreams,” Duggan said.

“Up in the NT you can go either way and sports is a big saviour for us up here. You find the ones that are heavily involved in sports are busy doing that on the weekends.

HOT new deal: Read everything for 28 days for just $1

“It’s nice to see the girls still have dreams of wanting to make it big even though they are in the NT. When the time comes, take the opportunities and give it your all.

“Be proud of who you are, work hard to achieve your dreams. If you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything. Don’t be afraid to want to be bigger and better.”