‘Night off’ isn’t a phrase in Kye Chilcott’s vocabulary.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
If the 16-year-old footballer and basketballer isn’t playing sport after he knocks off school, he’s training.
And if he’s not training, he’s coaching.
Deloraine High’s reigning swimming and cross country champion, Kye played under-18 football for the first time this season, adding Saturday morning fixtures to his Sunday commitments in the Kangaroos’ under-16 NTJFA outfit.
KNOW A JUNIOR SPORTS STAR?: Make a nomination here
Mum Amanda admitted she initially had her doubts – until he finished the season as the under-16s’ best and fairest and the under-18s’ leading goalkicker.
“We told him originally if he couldn’t back it up he wasn’t doing both, but he did it really well – he actually played his best season of under-16 footy after playing under-18s,” she said.
“I think the trainings he did at the start of the year with the AFL Tas under-16s, the Mariners, I think that really helped his footy this year.”
Kye said a disciplined post-match routine had helped him back up for two games over the weekend.
“I have a coach who tells me I just need to have ice baths after every game - it’s a bit cold but it helps a lot,” he said.
Also a talented point guard, Kye recently wrapped up another season of under-18 division 1 reserve in Launceston by being named Japara’s MVP, and also lined up in Deloraine’s Wednesday competition.
With football and basketball over for another season, he will turn his attention to two weekly netball competitions, and will presumably have more time to focus on his other hobbies – guitar and bass guitar.
“Mum and Dad obviously run me around a bit and there’s a fair bit of time that’s taken up through sport but I don’t mind it at all - I enjoy sport obviously,” he said.
“All my coaches I’ve had have helped me a lot so I’d like to thank all of them for what they’ve helped me with.
“My under-16 (football) coach Ollie Smith, he was really good this year.”
- Kye Chilcott is a nominee for male junior athlete of the year