More than two decades after first competing at a national championship herself, Kim Larkin was back in the stands in Ballarat this week, watching the Ivor Burge and Under-20 National Championships.
For many, Kim’s name is already familiar, living on through the Kim Larkin Fair Play Award, a recognition that honours teams who embody sportsmanship, respect and team work.
“I started something, and it keeps growing,” she said.
“When you look back, it’s not just about competing. It’s the friendships, the teammates and all the little moments that you remember years on.”
Watching young athletes step onto the national stage brought back memories of where it all began for her.
Kim played at the very first Ivor Burge National Championships in Wollongong in 1995.
Basketball has been part of Kim’s life since she was eight years old, growing up in Nunawading and following her sister Jo – an assistant coach with the Australian Pearls – into the sport.
At just 17, Kim made her international debut with the Australian Pearls, representing her country for the first time in Greece in 1994.
“I was lucky,” she said.
“I got to train at a really high level, and that’s the level I was playing against overseas.”
Across a 16-year international career, Kim represented Australia more times than she can count. Among her proudest memories were defeating Poland on the international stage – a long-held personal goal – and being named to an All-Star Five team in Sweden.
But when asked what she treasures most now, her answer is simple.
“It’s the people,” she said.
“The friendships off the court. The funny stuff. All the memories.”
That perspective sits at the heart of the Kim Larkin Fair Play Award.
When a team receives the award, Kim hopes it reflects far more than how they played the game.
“It’s all about teamwork,” she said.
“Not just on the court, but off the court, supporting each other, being a good friend, being a good teammate to everyone around you.”
It is a message she is equally passionate about passing on to the Ivor Burge athletes competing this week.
“Keep working hard and focus on your dream,” she said.
“If you really want something, keep practicing. I spent a lot of years training on my own and just kept going and I had a lot of success.”
And for those who don’t leave Ballarat with a medal, Kim believes the experience itself is what matters most.
“It’s not about that one result,” she said.
“It’s an exciting week, so just soak it up, work hard over the next 12 months and always keep trying to be better.”
