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Mildura Weekly - 01/10/10
www.milduraweekly.com.au
Steph a step away from WNBL squad By VINNIE RODI LOCALLY-bred basketballer Stephanie Gates, 20, recently received a phone call she’d previously only dreamed about – one that will hopefully see the youngster take the next step in her career. On the other end of the line was a representative from Australian Women’s National Basketball League team the Adelaide Lighting, who informed the former Red Cliffs resident that they were interested in securing her services for the upcoming season. Steph, while not officially a signed WNBL player, was offered a place in the club’s developmental squad (one of only 15 players from across South Australia), meaning she is only half a step away from playing in the country’s highest basketball league. “I almost couldn’t believe what I was hearing,” she said. “This is what I’ve been training for since I started as a junior in Mildura. “While it’s not quite the ‘big league,’ it’s as close as I can get for now, and I’m even more determined to keep working hard, and push for a call-up to the Lightning’s senior ranks.” Steph, who has been living in Adelaide for the past two years playing for SA Australian Basketball Association Central Conference team the Southern Tigers, said the call-up had been a year in the making. “My Southern Tigers coach has been telling me for the past 12 months to keep doing what I’m doing, and to keep training hard, because the Lightning had their eye on me,” she said. “It was something that I took on board, but at the same time didn’t put too much focus on, because a part of me didn’t think anything would come of it.” Her coach’s words soon proved true, with the Lightning inviting the 20-year-old to participate in an intense three-week trial.
“I was there with another six to seven girls, and the Lightning coaches just smashed us,” she said. Steph said she’d initially been disappointed with her efforts at the trial, with a recent run of injuries including a strained groin and bad ankle hindering her efforts. “I haven’t been happy with my form this season, which injury has played a big part in,” she said. “It’s one of the main reasons I was surprised to get the call to join the squad.” It’s a selection that comes after a successful few years for Steph, who was named the best Under 21 player
in the SA ABA Central Conference competition in 2009 – her first year in Adelaide. “That was another unexpected surprise,” she said. “Again I thought I’d had an average year at best.” It’s an accolade that follows on from Steph’s highly successful junior career, which from juniors through to Under 21s includes an incredible 10 consecutive State Division 1 Grand Finals. Her Under 20 Southern Tigers Women’s team also recently took out the 2010 South Australian Metro Under 20 State Title – the side’s third straight win.
Prior to that Steph was a prominent member of the WHK Mildura Mavericks/Heat junior representative team, which went on to claim a since unbeaten Victorian Country record of five straight State Junior Division 1 Titles. From this success Steph was selected to play for the Victorian Country State team at the Under 16 level through to the Under 18 level, undertaking two trips to the Australian Under 14 National Titles with the Mildura Mavs. She is the most recent member of that team to take the next step in her career, with former Mildura and State player Elise Strachan now a member of the Bendigo Spirit’s development squad, while Maddie Saunders has recently been approached by the Woodville Warriors to join their squad for the upcoming season. And while basketball has played a massive part in Steph’s life, it’s not her only passion, with completion of her Medical Imaging university degree a top priority. “Having that degree behind me has always been a goal,” she said. “Unfortunately basketball, especially women’s basketball, doesn’t offer the same sort of job security in Australian like it does in Europe, or America. “While my commitment to basketball has made completing this degree a tough ask, I’m determined to finish, and have another option behind me.” Steph said her focus would now turn to training sessions with both the Lightning’s development squad, and her Southern Tigers team mates, with her goal to break into the WNBL seniors by season’s end. “I honestly think it’s highly unlikely that I’ll get a game with the Lightning, not unless there’s an injury or two,” she said. “However that’s not going to stop me trying my hardest, and hopefully I can prove myself to selectors, and earn a permanent spot in the side next year.”
• Steph Gates is one step closer to achieving her basketball dream, named in the Adelaide Lightning’s development squad. That’s Steph in action for South Australia last year, ABOVE, and on a recent visit home, LEFT.
Off-road red hot action this weekend FOUR wheels, insane amounts of horsepower and plenty of air time. That’s just a taster for what’s in store this weekend at the Sunraysia Mo• AIR-TIME: Sunraysia’s Aaron James in his Pro Lite buggy.
Your driving force!
torsport Club’s Koorlong off-road complex. The Sunraysia Motorsport Club will hold a club event this weekend, showcasing the very quickest off-road drivers in the district, including Pro Lite Buggy drivers Matt Ryan and Aaron James.
Despite their speed and competitiveness at a national level, they’ll have their work cut out for them with several prominent visiting drivers keen to spoil their party. They include South Australian Lyndsay Foster in his Pro Lite buggy and
several other well-known drivers. Racing starts from 10am Sunday and will see drivers compete 10 laps of the 15-kilometre Koorlong course, with a break at the half-way mark. Entry is free for spectators.
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* Drive away price includes all dealer delivery and handling costs are based on Victorian government stamp duties, including 12 months registration. Drive away price may differ in other states as Government stamp duties and registration / ctp costs vary from state to state. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Conditions apply. For further information contact Sunraysia Hino on 03 5021 2999.
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