Tokyo Olympics: Kate Jenner and Nick Kay on the countdown for opening games

The countdown is on for Nick Kay and Kate Jenner and their proud families back in Tamworth with the Boomers and Hockeyroos opening their Tokyo campaigns over the weekend.

Jenner will hit the pitch for her second Olympics on Sunday morning (11am) with the Hockeyroos facing Spain, before Kay realises his Olympic dream on Sunday night (6.20pm AEST) when the Boomers take on Nigeria.

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Ahead of his debut, Kay in a video message, thanked the local basketball community for all of their support and encouragement.

"Can't wait to get out there and represent you guys at the Olympics in that green and gold jersey," he said.

"I also just want to say thankyou to the coaches, I wouldn't be here without you guys and it honestly means a lot to me."

After a competition rest day on Friday, Stacey Porter will also be back in action against Canada on Saturday morning (11am) in what is a crucial game for the Aussie Spirit with both sides recording a win and a loss from their two games so far.

The 39-year old is the most experienced of the local trio with Tokyo her third Games. It has though been a long wait between her second and third t an Olympics with softball cut from the program after Beijing games in 2008.

Speaking after their first round loss to Japan, the Aussie Spirit captain, who in a post on social media ahead of the Games said she has "been in love with this game for as long as I can remember", said it was a "big buzz" to feature in the opening event of the Games.

"We've been out for 13 years and to come back in and be the actual first competition was pretty special," Porter said.

Watching on with mum Robyn, and family and friends in Brisbane, Porter's sister Kristy said it was "very exciting" to see her back out on the Olympic diamond.

"It was great to see her on the big stage for the last time," she added.

For Jenner, it hasn't been quite as long in the Olympic wilderness. She was part of the side that just missed the medal rounds in London in 2012.

After stepping away from the sport in 2015, the Olympic dream was ignited again when she was elevated to the Hockeyroos squad for 2020.

Fortunate to be able to go to London, parents Barry and Sue will have to this time watch from afar but can't wait to see her out there in the green and gold on Sunday.

"It's a totally different experience to last time but it's great that she got there," Sue said.

She said they have been able to talk to Kate a couple of times since she arrived over in Tokyo.

"She said it's been pretty hot but not unbearable," she said.

Tamworth's interest in the Hockeyroos' pursuit for gold won't just be confined to the pitch with Jeremy Davy the assistant coach of the side.

It will be the respected mentor's second Games after serving as the performance analyst for the Kookaburras' golden triumph in 2004.

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