Community Coach of the Month | Keely Vickaryous

The Saskatchewan Rattlers have teamed up with Basketball Saskatchewan to celebrate the coaches of the community. Each month, one coach in Saskatchewan will be chosen as the Community Coach of the Month. The winner will receive a prize pack put together by Basketball Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Rattlers. If you have a deserving Community Coach that has made a difference to a player, team, or community - nominate a coach and take a moment to fill out the form.

Please join us in celebrating the Community Coach for March 2022 - Keely Vickaryous. We sat down to discuss her career, current teams that she is coaching, and the basketball community. Take a minute to read the conversation below.

Where are you currently coaching? What age group and team are you coaching?

Keely Vickaryous - It's hard to believe that I am going into my 32nd year of coaching. I am currently coaching the Saskatoon Slam Girls Under 17 Club basketball team, where I have had the privilege of working with the same core group of girls. We are now going into our 5th season together and we have a great combination of veteran, new leadership, and the funniest bunch you will ever meet.

Tell us about how you got involved in coaching. What mentors have helped you along the way?

KV - I had some great Phys. Ed. teachers along the way, who made me love basketball. Sharon Klein was my high school coach at Bishop James Mahoney, she made a huge impact. Once I was done high school and studying Physical Education in university, I immediately started coaching with her. We ended up coaching together for a number of years then became great rivals and coached against each other in Saskatoon. She treated her players like family, ran us hard, but always put in extra effort to make every moment special. You always felt the passion and intensity she put into every game and practice. 35 years later (... I am aging myself) and we are still really close friends.

I was fortunate enough to coach a lot of years of high school, provincial teams, and the Huskies. I have met and worked with so many amazing people. Early in my career, I spent a lot of time travelling and attending coaching clinics. I have coached summer camps in Canada and the USA. At each summer camp, I would pick up new skills and coaching practices that I would contribute to my coaching philosophy.I had an opportunity to see meet and talk with coaches like Mike Krzyzewski and Tara VanDerveer. Meeting these coaches helped me pick up tips on coaching strategy and how to treat players. It's these moments that inspire you to learn as much as you can to motivate learning.

What makes a good basketball coach? What can you share with other coaches that are looking to leave an impact on their community?

KV - A great basketball coach is someone who is passionate, enthusiastic, and dedicated. Most of all they will work as hard as they can for their players. The players need to know you care about each and every one of them. A great coach wants success for their players; on and off the court. Basketball is a microcosm of life, it's so important to remember we can learn so much about ourselves through it and hopefully carry that learning into the real-world.

For any young coach, I recommend two things:

- Attend coaching clinics and summer camps. You meet so many people who are equally passionate for the sport. There is nothing more invigorating than talking strategies and philosophy for hours.

- Make your practices as intense and competitive as your games, but find a way to have fun with them.

What are your TOP 3 coaching highlights?

KV -

1) Coaching many beautiful young women. Sharing tears in losses and in wins. Eventually seeing my players with families, careers, and success. Now I have many of them in my life as friends.

2) A full circle experience - I coached a couple of summers at Stanford Women's Basketball Camps about 25 years ago, then most recently spending a few days with them and watching their championship win at the PAC 12 tournament in Las Vegas with my daughter Billie. Truly a memorable experience.

3) Winning a city championship with Bishop James Mahoney in the old Education Gym. The venue itself was so magical when packed. It was the first win for the girls in school history. I coaching alongside my mentor Coach Sharon Klein

+) My new chapter - coaching my daughter and our Slam girls basketball team, after not coaching for a few years competitively. I now get the opportunity to experience everything I love about coaching while working with some amazing young women and families.

Where do you hope to be in the Basketball Community of Saskatchewan in the next 5 years?

KV - During the next 5 years - I hope to continue coaching my kids, helping my friends coach their kids, and continue to host camps at the lake. As I near the end of my teaching career, I plan to travel to as many basketball tournaments and clinics as possible. I plan to continue to learn about this game, that I love so much.

Special thank you to Basketball Saskatchewan for their partnership with the Community Coach initiative. Nominate a coach that has made a difference to a player, team, or community - fill out the form.