Victorians to play in Youth Olympics
MEDIA RELEASE 28 July, 2010
Victorian junior players selected for Australian
Youth Olympic Games team
Basketball Australia has selected three talented Victorian junior players: Olivia Bontempelli from Eltham, and Rosie Fadljevic and Hannah Kaser (Morwell) who both play for Dandenong, to represent Australia at the first ever Youth Olympic Games in Singapore from14-26 August, 2010. Mikhaela Donnelly from Queensland will join the three Victorians.
AIS Women’s assistant coach Kirsty Flores will coach the team and Australian basketball legends Andrew Gaze and Michelle Timms will travel to Singapore with the team as Athlete Role Models.
The girls will participate in a youth-modified, high-tempo 3-on-3 competition conducted on a half court. They will have one hoop and win the game if they are the first to reach 33 points or have the highest number of points after the allocated two x 5 minute halves with a 10 second shot clock. Australia has been placed alongside Chile, France, Japan and Italy in Group D with the top two teams from the round-robin group stage progressing to the quarter finals.
Ross Wignell, Basketball Victoria’s Manager of Basketball Operations said: “Representing Australia in 3-on-3 is new to us. It will be great for the girls especially in the sense that there will be massive responsibilities for each player, regarding individual offence and defence. Around the key with two other team-mates will obviously provide more court space than usual. Plenty of work has been covered in these areas of their games, so I expect they will relish the opportunity and enjoy the experience. Well done to the girls on making the team.”
Olivia Bontempelli said: "Being selected in the first Australian Youth Olympic basketball team has just amazed me beyond belief. The feeling of representing my country and playing in the green and gold is something I have worked towards throughout my basketball career. It’s a chance for me to compete against the best in the world and hopefully the team comes home with a medal (preferably GOLD!!).”
Aged 14-18 years, the 2010 Australian youth Olympic Team will compete in 20 of the 26 sports on the 2012 London Olympic program and is the maximum size allowed by the IOC. The Australian Team will form part of 3,600 athletes descending on Singapore to compete in a multi-sports environment, live in an Olympic Village, undergo drug testing and learn about the Olympic values in a Culture and Education Program.
The Youth Olympic Games will create a lasting sporting, cultural and educational legacy for young athletes around the world.
For further information, photos or interviews please contact:
Sandra Sloane
Basketball Victoria
P: 03 9927 6620 - M: 0409 533 221
E: sandra.sloane@basketballvictoria.com.au
