In 2019 the Australian Under 18 Nationals will be held in Townsville April 13 – 20. The tournament is an important elite pathway for our future Australian representatives.
SA Country will once again be represented by some of our Mount Gambier Athletes, Oliver Thomson was selected in the Under 18 Men’s side, Jaidyn Lawrence was selected as a reserve for the side. Oli Thomson, known for his quiet nature and calm presence on the court has been working hard at his game and the opportunity is well deserved. Recently Oli played with his U18 Lakers side in the Bendigo classic and has been training with the Mount Gambier Pioneers men’s side which will be great preparation leading into nationals.
The women’s side will be represented by four Mount Gambier athletes Keryl Ousey, Claire Hunter, Emily Close and Mikaela Horrigan. Sarah Nulty and Emily Dawe were selected as reserves for the side. It’s been a busy holiday period for the girls competing in the Australian Junior Country Cup in Albury, preparing for and playing in the Bendigo Junior Classic for their U18 Lakers side and training with the newly formed Mount Gambier Pioneers women’s side.
Basketball Development Manager Matt Sutton says the Mount Gambier Community should be very proud of these athletes, ‘The tournament is a fantastic pathway for next level basketball. We are very proud of our Mount Gambier Athletes that put themselves out there to make these teams, they put in a lot of work to get there now it’s time for them to focus on the task at hand and give it their best shot.’
Training in preparation for the Nationals will continue in Adelaide on selected weekends, where coaches will be cramming in as much gameplay and strategies as they can to give their sides the best chance at success.