Taylor-Kerr goes back to a new hobby

Liz Taylor-Kerr ended a six-year hiatus when she stepped on court last Friday night to help Le Mont Saint Storm’s cause against champions Praxis Pumas.

It was a hard loss against a Pumas side stacked with quality players, who triumphed 76-36, but Taylor-Kerr had good reason not to be at her very best.

‘Six years since I’ve even touched a ball,’ said a player who is now 49 years old.

‘I’ve only had three weeks of training, so I’m bound to be a bit rusty.’

The Australian-born player’s life has moved on somewhat since she was heading Guernsey’s squads at Island Games and National League level.

But, when she was left looking for a new hobby, her old sport appears to have hit the spot.

‘I’ve got three young kids and I haven’t really had much time to do anything for the last six to eight years,’ she said.

‘I just needed something for myself, I think, and I was looking at various sports. Obviously, I know basketball and I know the people, it’s good exercise and I thought I’d give it another go, I suppose get involved again.’

Taylor-Kerr was a driving force in Guernsey’s Games teams between 2001 and 2009, before making a comeback for Jersey 2015.

But she does not fancy adding Guernsey 2023 to that tally.

‘Time is an issue, and I’m 50 next year, so I don’t need to be running around with people 30 years younger than me.

‘It’s just for fun, just having some exercise and trying to get a little bit of me back.’

So, there will be no repeat of Taylor-Kerr’s heroics at the 2003 home Games.

As the host island claimed gold, Taylor-Kerr won player of the tournament for her shining performances, which included lofty averages of nearly 30 points per game.

It is unsurprising that she considers Guernsey 2003 the standout memory of her playing career – as a local at least.

‘That [being player of the tournament], would definitely help. I’ve got others in Australia but that would be my standout Guernsey memory.’

Having his own brilliant memories of her golden days, long-term Island women’s coach Pat Ogier heaped lavish praise on her in a previous Guernsey Press feature.

‘Liz Kerr sits alone when we talk about our best ever players,’ he said.

‘She is by far the best player I have had the opportunity to work with in the women’s game and was unstoppable on the court.

‘She could and frequently did play all positions, was as deadly from outside as she was inside and was an uncompromising defender.’

Although Taylor-Kerr was cursed by shots failing to drop on her comeback match, Storm captain Tracy Martel appreciated her presence very much.

‘It’s nice to have Liz as a presence on court,’ Martel said.

‘Having the experience, and having her talking to us and helping us out on court, is a real help.’

• MEN’S DIVISION ONE gets under way tonight at Beau Sejour as Mayside take on Skipton at 9pm.

Earlier, Comets face Ravenscroft in the Women’s League at 6.05pm, followed by LMS Used v Mavericks at 7.30 in Men’s Division Two.