Torres Strait teams ‘all heart’ at NIBT

BY CHRISTINE HOWES, ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY VELMA GARA

By all reports, and despite not winning a game, the two Torres Strait Indigenous Community Basketball League (ICBL) selected teams who played off at the National Indigenous Basketball Tournament (NIBT) last weekend on the Gold Coast, played their hearts out.

Coordinator Mick Loban said the teams’ enthusiasm – boys and girls – at times had other teams wondering who had won or lost the game at hand.

“I think they won the hearts of everyone there because of the way they carried themselves, and never mind a big loss, they really celebrated,” he said.

“And some of the parents from the other team, they were shocked like, ‘did we win or did they win?’

“The kids were saying, ‘no, that’s just how they are – they celebrate everything’.”

He said they also gave everything.

“They played against kids that were three or four times their size, they didn’t give up and hold back, they just went straight in,” he said. “They had a lot of fun and experience, and next year when they go down now they’ll probably be way better.”

He said they had only had two weeks to practice as teams, and compared to other, less remote regions, they also lacked match practice.

“They’ve come in pretty fresh, but they certainly haven’t let the Torres Strait down,” he said.

Girl’s team assistant Elsie Seriat said “proud” was an understatement.

“Didn’t win on the scoreboard but definitely won hearts,” she said on social media.

“They celebrated every game like they won and held their heads up high no matter what.

“We can only grow from this experience and come back stronger and better next year.

“Thank you Bala Patty Mills and the IBA for the opportunity.”

More NIBT stories & pics P12 & P13 N

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