The 2019-20 assistant coach was involved in an accident in the workplace and didn't expect to live, walk let alone participate in sport.

Kenny grew up in Hamilton and was a late "bloomer" starting basketball.

"I started in under-14's and not long after starting my coach got me into playing A Grade," he said.

"I did stop playing for a few years while I lived in Melbourne but when I moved back to Ballarat I got into the sport again.

"I met the Wildcats coach Alistair through mixed netball and he got me back into basketball after my accident."

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Playing basketball was a tool Kenny used to get fit enough to play football again.

Moving full time to Stawell a year ago, Kenny still travels on occasions to Ballarat to play in the competition.

"I didn't know much about the Wildcats when I came to Stawell but I knew a lot of the former players and the guys who were trying to get the club back up and running," he said "Alistair and I go to basketball tournaments all over Victoria and one tournament I invited Aiden Marr to go with us.

"He approached Al and I to see if we were interested in getting the Wildcats back up and running with him."

Kenny said he felt the future of the sport in Stawell relied on clear pathways for juniors to strive to achieve.

"I have two young children and hopefully in years to come if they play basketball the club is here for them to be part of," he said.

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"Hopefully we get a lot of kids along this weekend and get behind the Wildcats and really build up our following."

Kenny played a lot of his junior basketball in the centre but as time went on he was utilised everywhere on the court.

"This season has been a really big learning curve for me," he said.

"Being the assistant coach and on the court can be tough at times to focus on my own game and everyone else's.

"I'm lucky Al knows a lot about basketball and I'm hoping he can pass on some of his knowledge to the players."

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Kenny has always considered himself as a leader but said he never really thought about coaching.

"As my kids grow older I might change that mindset a little more," he said.

"This is a great stepping stone and eyeopener into the world of coaching."

Stawell Wildcats will take on old rivals of Ararat Redbacks at the Stawell Leisure Centre on Sunday at 1pm.

"Hopefully we can shut them down shooting wise," Kenny said.

"That's what we haven't done in the past few weeks so it's something that we know we have to work on.

"Our success isn't measured on scoreboard or wins and losses success.

"We have a plan for the season we want to achieve as a team and for individual players."

Ararat Redbacks will take on Mt Gambier on Saturday night at home, tip off at 7pm.

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