Fancy footwork set to come in handy

Basketballer swapping the court for the dance floor

Unlike many of his Swinging with the Stars counterparts, Kyle Tipene can at least lay claim to some dancing experience but he is certainly by no means an expert and knows he has some serious work ahead of him before the June 17 gala performance at The Barn. “When I was in Year 11 I was in a dance crew – we basically did hip hop,” Kyle said. “That was a long time ago.”

When the talented basketballer and school wellbeing officer was first asked by long time swinging with the Stars choreographer Kim Cella to take up one of the eight ‘star’ positions, Kyle admits he was not keen.

“But it was for a good cause, raising money for charity and as I as having a season off basketball to get my body right and spend some more time on my business so I did have some time to put into it,” he said. “I asked some people that had been involved in the past and they said to was one of the best experiences they have ever had.”

The fact Stand Like Stone Foundation is a locally focussed charity also helped get Kyle over the line.

“I knew a little bit about the foundation – I knew the funds stay in this area and that’s another reason I was interested,” he said. “I must admit I didn’t realise how big it was but I am starting to realise how big the actual night is – I have never been before – and I am learning more about everything the foundation does.”

Kyle is also friends with the Stand Like Stone Foundation CEO Roger Babolka’s son so he is learning more all the time about the cause for which he is hitting the dance floor.

Walking into that first rehearsal was nerve wracking for Kyle but he has already started to feel more comfortable and the group has one dance – swing – already under their belt, with the tango next on the agenda.

“I was pretty nervous initially -it felt like I was going back to school,” he said.

Kyle is teamed with one half of the 2022 winning couple Jacinta Cooper and while he is sticking to the scheduled rehearsals at this early stage with only one extra session thrown in now they are a month into the rehearsal schedule.

“The fact she won last year does put the pressure on,” he said. “She’s been awesome and she did say we can add extra sessions closer to the event if we need to.”

Of course, as well as getting a handle on the dance steps, there is the fundraising and Kyle already has a couple of events on his calendar.

He is running a Community Tea Night at the Blue Lake Bar & Bistro on May 4, where anyone can book a table, enjoy a good meal and Bill Burley, one of the city’s most well known supporters of charitable causes, hands over a portion of the price of every adult meal to the cause at hand.

The Blue Lake Golf Club will also be the venue for the May 12 Quiz Night Kyle is hosting as another fundraising opportunity and he also has some more ideas up his sleeve which he will promote once confirmed.

Kyle works at North School in the wellbeing space and the school is also dipping into their pockets to help the cause.

His role came about after, like so many, he returned home during COVID. Working as an SSO and moving into the wellbeing area has seen Kyle his straps and he sees youth work of some kind in his long term future.

“I have moved around different places in Australia for basketball and I have always enjoyed the school coaching clinics and the way I can connect with kids,” he said.

It is also why he set up his business KT Hoops, where he has a purpose built court at Active 8 Health & Sports Centre, running camps, clinics, group sessions and one-on-one coaching.

But while shooting, dribbling and passing are almost part of Kyle’s DNA, dancing, despite having two sisters who have excelled at the craft, is a little more foreign and taking a lot more work and while he has enjoyed the swing choreography, he is filled with some trepidation regarding the next dance – the tango.

One thing that he has noticed, is while each week he returns to rehearsal his brain is a little foggy about the routine, he has noticed some muscle memory going on once the music starts.

And he has advice for all his dancing newbies – don’t miss a practice. It might only be an hour but what is crammed in during that time cannot be missed without falling behind the other couples. Kylie is raising funds for the Stand Like Stone Foundation General Sub fund.