By MICHELLE HERBISON
AN enthusiastic team of girls under-14 basketballers have become the first team from the Bellarine Peninsula to qualify for an Australian national competition.
Bellarine Storm Under 14 Girls team-member Quinn Murphy, 12, said the “small, tight group” of eight girls had worked toward their success for “endless hours” with coach Brendon Matthews.
“We’re passionate, hard-working and, most of all, so very excited to be part of a sport on a national level,” she said.
Matthews said the team, which he described as “hungry for success”, had risen to number two in Victoria from 39th place last year.
“They’re a great bunch of girls and very well disciplined. We’re a bit surprised really – we’re such a small little association mixing with the big powerhouses from Melbourne.”
The team could play up to eight or nine games over a week during September’s national competition, Matthews said.
“I don’t think people realise how big basketball is and how much is involved.”
Matthews said the league representative team comprised girls who played for local teams in a Friday night domestic competition, driving as far as Dandenong and Bulleen some weeks.
“Bulleen had 150 girls try out for their team and at ours we had 18. That gives an example of how hard these kids work.”
Quinn applauded the tireless efforts of Matthews, the team’s manager and supportive spectators.
“An enthusiastic bunch of parents, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts and grandparents all come to watch, cheer and support us no matter what.”
