IPSWICH Force basketball player Meg Essex deserves congratulations for being selected for the 2013 Australian development camp.

Essex will be part of the intense five-day camp being held next month at Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence in Canberra.

The training camp will identify and prepare athletes for future high-performance program pathways identified by Basketball Australia.

Essex's first opportunity is the FIBA Oceania Pacific Championships in New Zealand in November. A team will be selected from this Australian development camp to play in the Pacific Championships.

Players invited to attend the camp are eligible for the 2015 Under-19 World Championships.

"I was a little shocked when I read it because I was not expecting that big of an opportunity," Essex said.

"I am a bit nervous because it is such a big step in my career but I am also very excited to learn new skills and to have a feel of what it is all about.

"I would also like to see how far I can push my skill level and how far I can actually go."

Essex also left yesterday, jetting out to Perth for the 2013 School Sport Australia's National Championships.

She's part of the Queensland schools team involved in a three-day training camp before opening their nationals campaign on Saturday against Western Australia.

http://www.qt.com.au/news/essex-keen-to-elevate-skills-at-national-camp/1984426/