Emma Klasztorny

Interview with Emma Klasztorny

Emma is a Mandurah junior who is currently Squad Member with the Perth Lynx WNBL team and a Mandurah Magic WSBL Player)

Blake                        

Hi Emma, firstly congratulations on your final four WSBL finish and your selection into the Perth Lynx WNBL team, you must be excited on where your basketball is going?

Emma             

Hi, thank you, I would be more than happy to. I am very excited to see were basketball may take me. I'm hoping to be able to play for as long as I can and see some parts of the world with this sport which makes it more exciting. 

Blake

Can you paint the picture of how the Perth Lynx is looking these days now that the club has rebranded and joined forces with the Perth Wildcats?

Emma


well speaking of excitement the Perth lynx are definitely looking like that as a team. It doesn't happen though without everyone putting all the hard work into it. We get the luxury of playing the sport but without the professionalism and support from the staff and team as a whole it definitely wouldn't happen. With the wildcats being so successful I believe the Lynx can work just as hard and show some more success for WA.   

Blake                         

Can you give us an overview of your playing career?

Emma

I started playing when I was young, about 8 or 9 and have been playing ever since. Started in the Mandurah domestic competition with MCC. I remember playing with the boys team for MCC when I was in primary school and that was great fun now I think about it. I then moved onto WABL with the Mandurah Magic and then found myself playing for WA at national championships right through to U20's. After being part of the WSBL league since I was 16 I aimed to just go as high and as far as I could. I was then a member of the WNBL team for the West Coast Waves for 2014/15 and now have the privilege to be a part of the WNBL Perth Lynx team for 2015/16. 

 

Blake                         

I know that you played WABL at Mandurah and now you coach, can you explain the benefits of coaching the younger players at the club and what it means to you?

Emma


Well I love the club overall and I love the kids that come through it also. The kids mean a lot to me as they are all future stars in my eyes and have a career in anything they want if they put their mind to it. Coaching this year was another exciting thing I did and in all honesty it was quite tough but another massive learning experience for me also. I was and am still learning myself as a player so trying to transfer what I know into a junior version of the game was a challenge but also a good experience as I learnt more for myself to bring to my game.  Overall I hope I helped the kids play what they all love and better them for their futures. I can’t wait to continue to do it in the future.

 

Blake

What does the Mandurah Magic as a club mean to you?

Emma

Mandurah Magic club means everything to me. If I was to answer this honestly I would have to say, if it wasn't for the coaches, support and club I wouldn't be where I am today. The coaches I have had throughout have pushed me and supported me from juniors up to SBL. I bet it’s like that for most players everywhere if they were to answer this about their clubs but there is just a special family feel in Mandurah that I can’t see leaving me anytime soon.

 

Blake

What advice would you give young Mandurah players who see you play and want to get to your level?

Emma

I would have to sit down and write an endless paper of the game and passion for it but a few things that stand out to me for younger players would be, it doesn't come easy and you definitely have to work for what you want.


I still have moments to this day where I think I have failed, been unsuccessful within myself or followed that little guy in the back of my head telling me, you can’t do something. You have to keep reminding yourself that at the end of the day you’re doing what you love, but also  if you don't accept your failures and work harder than ever to overcome them you’re not going to get any better to become that future star.


Also have fun with the failures and challenges!! It will be worth it in the long run.  

 

Blake                         

What do you get up to with your time away from basketball?

Emma

Here's a little secret for some of you...... I actually love to bake and cook so when I can I do that for my family, but also after a long day I do love just laying in bed, but who doesn't. 

I am not a very big shopper but on the odd occasion when I do shop I go all out and stock up my wardrobe for another year.

 
The one thing though that I always love doing when there isn't any basketball is drink coffee and spend catch up time with my family!!!

 

Blake                         

Lastly Emma, what are your goals for the future? I know that there are a lot of people around here that follow and support you, what’s in store for us next, what does the next chapter hold for you and the Magic?

Emma

My overall goal would be to play for Australia! To be able to wear a green and gold uniform and then to thank my club for everything they did for me as a junior to get to where I hopefully will be one day.

 Blake                         

Thank you for your time today and good luck with everything on and off the court.

Emma

Thank you Blake especially and to Mandurah Magic for your time and support.

 

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