When Craigieburn’s Kellie Bailey-Lynn started her Big V basketball career, back when it was known as the Victorian Basketball League, she was thrown in at the deep end.
“I was hoping to get through my first season,” she told the Star Weekly.
“I’d just turned 14 and I fell into being part of the team.
“My coach was playing in the seniors and they wanted me to come down and have a run as they were short of numbers.”
Fourteen years later, Bailey-Lynn will play her 300th game, against Sunbury Jets at the weekend.
“It was a lot more physical back then,” she recalls.
“It has tended to be less physical as different rules have been brought in. It’s been a blessing in disguise for me, being not quite so hard on the body.”
The 28-year-old, who has captained the side for nine years, says two division 2 premierships have been the highlights of her career.
“I love playing and I love the club,” Bailey-Lynn says.
“It’s been an outlet from the rest of my life. My best friends play basketball and it’s sculpted my life.”
Not even having a baby 10 months ago could stop Bailey-Lynn’s career.
“I wanted to prove to myself I still have it to play,” she said on continuing her career.
“I’d love to be involved with the club in some part next season.
“I’m not sure which direction the club is going, but I’d still love to play.”
She said Kylie Mutton-Garcia was the best player she had played with.
“She was playing when I started,” she recalls. “We’ve had a lot of injuries, so after 10 years out of the game Kylie has come out of retirement to help us out. She’s the only other woman at the club to play 300 games.”
Bailey-Lynn said this season finals were still the aim for the fifth-placed Eagles.
“We’ve struggled a bit and had a few injuries,” she said.
“We’re looking to scrap away for the rest of the season.
“We have five games left and if we win them all we should make finals.”
As well as celebrating Bailey-Lynn’s 300th game, the Eagles are having a ‘pink day’ to raise money for cancer awareness.
Tara Murray
