Nikki Holmes reflects on service, sacrifice and sport

Featured image: Trent Moore Sports Photography

ANZAC Day carries special meaning for Frankston Blues assistant coach Nikki Holmes.

A veteran, coach and long time Frankston figure, Holmes’ story sat at the heart of the Blues’ ANZAC Eve clash on Friday night, as Frankston Blues opened NBL1 South’s ANZAC Round with an 85–69 win over the Dandenong Rangers.

Prior to tip off, Holmes delivered a moving ANZAC Day address, honouring the courage, sacrifice and service of Australia’s military community while paying special tribute to the women whose contributions in uniform have too often gone unrecognised.

A former member of the Royal Australian Navy, Holmes spoke with deep personal connection as she reflected on service, remembrance and the enduring ANZAC spirit, setting the tone for a meaningful night at Frankston.

For Holmes, who served 10 years in the Royal Australian Navy, ANZAC Day is more than a date on the calendar. It is a reflection of service, sacrifice and the values that continue to shape the way she coaches.

“There’s a huge connection between sport and service,” Holmes said.

“In the military, you’re trained to rely on your servicemen and women to be your team and your family, which is exactly what we do in basketball.

“There’s a main goal that we’re all working towards and it requires teamwork to succeed.”

That connection between military service and basketball was on full display as NBL1 South marked ANZAC Round across the conference, with clubs and officials paying tribute to Australia and New Zealand’s past and present servicemen and women.

For Holmes, the occasion also carried a personal connection to Frankston’s proud women’s basketball history.

A former championship player at the club, Holmes reflected on her own beginnings in Frankston colours and the players who helped shape her journey.

“In that championship at Frankston, I was a rookie and I was training with people like Sue Humble, Martine Burke and Marita Jackson,” Holmes said.

“Players that probably weren’t getting paid lots of money, if any money to play.

“It encouraged me to strive to be like them.”

Now, years later, Holmes is helping guide the next generation at the same club, including coaching Marita Jackson’s daughter, Tori, in Frankston’s current NBL1 South women’s program.

It is a full circle moment built on the same values Holmes says have followed her from military service into basketball. Leadership. Communication. Trust. Teamwork.

“The experience that I would use from my military service was leadership and communication and how to be a good communicator to inspire people and to lead them to achieve a goal,” Holmes said.

As the league marks ANZAC Day across a full weekend of fixtures, Holmes’ story stands as a reminder of what the round represents, not only honouring service, but recognising the shared values of resilience, connection and sacrifice that continue to shape communities across the country through sport.