Posted on 13 March, 2009
The Ivor Burge National Championships are conducted each year by Basketball Australia for people with an intellectual disability. Teams from all over Australia represent their States in the week long tournament.
Victoria Metro went through all five round games undefeated and were convincing winners over NSW Country in the Gold Medal match 77-53.
Lauren, who is a student at Heatherwood School in Donvale, is currently completing a work placement with the Kilsyth & Mountain District Basketball Association at the Kilsyth Sports Centre.
The trip proved to be a great learning experience for Lauren and the team, as with working at the Kilsyth Sports Centre, Lauren has been taken out of her comfort zone, “The whole experience of being away from family and friends provided a great opportunity to learn, it meant I had to be more independent,” said Lauren.
Lauren was so excited about being part of the winning Victoria Metro team, “It was a great experience, you don’t always get a chance to play in a grand final, so we made the most of it,” she said.
The team not only had to compete with the opposition but the Townsville weather as well, “Townsville was very hot and humid, the conditions were very different from playing in Melbourne, said Lauren.
Lauren will continue with her basketball and work placement at the Kilsyth Sports Centre and hopes to be part of a successful Victoria Metro team in 2010.
For all your community Basketball news visit www.kilsythbasketball.com.au