Joanna Tucker, Yorke Peninsula Country Times

A Court at the Copper Coast Sport and Leisure Centre, Kadina, is now officially named in honour of local Olympian Stephanie Talbot.

The surprise announcement was made during the Adelaide Lightning basketball team’s coaching clinic at the CCSLC on Sunday, October 27.

After the clinic, which more than 60 budding basketballers attended, the Adelaide Lightning team was taken to court 1, where Yorke Valley Basketball Assoc iation’s Grant Keleher announced it would be named to acknowledge Stephanie Talbot and all of her basketball achievements.

Talbot, formerly of Kadina, said she had learned everything she knew from playing sport.

“It means the world to be able to have the court named after me,” Ms Talbot said.

Mr Keleher said the naming of the court not only recognised Ms Talbot’s achievements, but her entire family’s contributions to local basketball.

“Today, we come here not to just honour a remarkable individual, but also to celebrate a family that has dedicated so much to our community,” Mr Keleher said.

“It represents the whole Talbot name and what they have done for the community and this sport.” 

Mr Keleher said Ms Talbot started playing basketball at 7 or 8 years of age and had spent at least 10,000 hours on Kadina’s court 1 honing her skills.

He also said the number of local girls playing basketball decreased during Covid but was now higher than ever because of role models such as Ms Talbot.

“The number of girls joining has grown because of people like Steph,” he said.

“Girls can actually see a pathway into becoming a professional sportsperson.

“They see Steph and they think, that’s something I could become one day.” 

In the lead-up to the naming announcement, Copper Coast Council chief executive Dylan Strong said council supported the move to honour one of Kadina’s strongest sporting talents.

Ms Talbot was an outstanding role model for children and sportspeople on the Copper Coast, Mr Strong said.

“The naming of the court is a gesture of recognition for Stephanie’s amazing achievements,” he said.

“Becoming an Olympic medallist at the 2024 Paris Games is an obvious highlight, but her whole career has been outstanding.

“Stephanie’s achievements at an international level go to show that, with hard work and commitment, you can reach the top in your field, and that being from a regional area is not an obstacle to success.” 

Deputy Mayor Peter Sims represented council at the announcement.

The date for the official unveiling of Stephanie Talbot Court will be set soon.

This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 29 October 2024.