With an impressive basketball career behind her, Olympian Kathy Foster is on the Gold Coast this week coaching at the Foot Locker Australian School Championships.
As Head Coach of Tasmania’s Guilford Young College, Kathy is passing on her impressive knowledge to the next generation of players.
Kathy started her Opals career in 1981. A young girl from country Tasmania, she represented her country at two World Championships and an Olympics and was Vice Captain from 1983-1988.
Kathy recalls her first Australian team training session.
“I was terrified as a 17-year-old, my first session was with Marie Jackson and my vivid memory was of her physically dominating, she was so strong and impressive - very intimidating.
I went home to Tasmania and cried all the way, it was huge transition for a country girl, but the start of an incredible career.”
On her last Opals tour, Kathy was joined by a 17-year-old Sandy Brondello who was just starting her career. It all came full circle this week as they caught up and had a good laugh about old times.
Kathy received the call up for coaching duties and she was happy to oblige. Giving the girls in Tasmania an opportunity to go on and potentially represent on the big stage was too good to pass up.
“The School Champs are fantastic for our girls, Tasmania is a small pool of players, so to get this experience to play against other kids their age is great.
The best part about this tournament is that they all get to play, nobody sits on the bench, and they all get good minutes, so it’s great for everyone.”
A DECORATED CAREER
Inducted into the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame 2013
Opals Vice-Captain 1983-88
Olympian 1984
135 WNBL games
18 ppg average WNBL
2 x World Championships 1983 and 1986
Three-time MVP winner for WNBL 1985, 86 and 89
