When the Townsville Fire girls are ripping up the basketball court, U14 Flames player Lilly Walker is watching closely on the sidelines.
Representing Queensland Schoolgirls at the recent Pan Pacific Games in December, where her team won Gold, was an amazing experience for talented basketball player Lilly Walker. The only Queensland player selected north of Brisbane for the team, it was the first time the 13-year-old put on the maroons.
“We got to play teams from all over Australia as well as international teams,” Lilly says.
Locally, the U14 Flames are now in training for the Queensland Championships in Brisbane in July.
“With the depth in our team and our very experienced coaching staff, I really think we can bring home a medal,” Lilly says. “Hopefully it will be a gold one!”
If the girls win the Queensland Championships, they will go on to represent Townsville at the Australian Nationals.
“Before I go to Brisbane to compete at the State Championships, we’ll play in a northern competition where we’ll compete against teams from Mackay in the South through to Cairns in the North,” Lilly says.
“We’d love everyone to come along to Murray Basketball Stadium and cheer us on for this in April. It’s much better when we have people cheering for us — I know it makes me play harder.”
One day, Lilly wants to play for the Townsville Fire and you’ll find her court-side at their games where she is a floor wiper (one of the volunteers who wipes the sweat off the floor to keep the court safe).
“I’ve done floor wiping for the Townsville Fire every game for the past couple of years. It’s the best seat in the stadium to watch the players,” Lilly says.
“They inspire me to train harder and be the best I can be. My dream is to play College basketball in the USA and maybe one day wear the green-and-gold jersey at the Olympics.”
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