A popular Territory league coach will take another step in her mentoring journey with her call-up to the women\u2019s Indigenous All Stars team.<\/p>\n
Litchfield Bears stalwart Shari Togo is a coach on the rise, with her investment and passion a driving force for increased engagement in the sport.<\/p>\n
Togo has grown as a coach in recent years, helping develop the next generation through RISE programs, and has been an assistant with the First Nations Gems and the 2023 PMXIII team.<\/p>\n
Now she has another big opportunity with the Indigenous All Stars on their trip to New Zealand as a highly rated part of Jessica Skinner\u2019s team next week.<\/p>\n
And for Togo, it was another chance to learn from a different set of players and coaches and take those skills back to the Bears or junior programs.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou never stop learning in a space and every experience is a stepping stone which I can then give to my players and teams, it never stops,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had good coaches that have taught me here in the NT and I\u2019ve been around the sport my whole life being surrounded by a big family that all played.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is going to be good, I met heaps of the players beforehand in the cultural camp getting around the athletes and building those relationships.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoing into the All Star space around elite athletes that do this for a job is always daunting, but I\u2019ve got everything in front of me from the coach to prep well and deliver.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Togo, getting to be an ambassador for the NT on such a big stage is something she holds with great pride.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m always proud to say I\u2019m from the NT, that\u2019s a badge of honour, I moved here 13 years ago and now my kids play in the pathways,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll always support and be proud of this space and everything that involves.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd it\u2019s been great to see the growth of female participation, not just playing but coaching and team managing, there\u2019s heaps everywhere in every position and hopefully the growth will continue.\u201d <\/p>\n
Skinner said she was extremely excited for Togo to get the opportunity in the All Stars program.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe has shown consistent commitment to the pathways that have been available to her, including RISE, RISE Rookie, local league programs, The First Nations Gems program, ASSRL, and the PMXIII team in 2023,\u201d Skinner said.<\/p>\n
\u201cShari is not only a quality coach, but someone who invests heavily in her own development and learning. <\/p>\n
\u201cHer experience across community, pathways, and representative environments will be a strong addition to our program.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe is highly respected by players and staff, brings strong cultural leadership, and embodies what our pathways are about, developing capable coaches who are ready to contribute at the highest level. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis opportunity is well deserved, and I\u2019m excited to see Shari continue to grow and leave her mark.\u201d<\/p>\n