A 12-year-old from Jimboomba has bounced his was into Logan Thunder’s Junior Representative Program for basketball – a program helping young players representative Queensland and play professionally.
Ollie Ross was one of the 60 players picked for a team out of 150, alongside some of his teammates from the under 14s, who impressed the coaches with their basketball skills at trials.
Ollie will find out what division he will play in after the representative season ends, then he will head to the State Championships in Cairns in July with his team to play against other Queensland teams.
His mother, Carlie Ross said Ollie was one of the youngest players chosen last season and is still one of the youngest in the under 14’s for this season.
“Watching them play together is inspiring as they’re all so young, but work so hard for each other, their coaches and their families,” she said.
“I really hope they can secure a high division and can see out the season with a Gold medal.”
“I also hope that they build on their friendships that they may have for life, and finally that they learn how to win and how to lose graciously and as a team.”
The Logan Thunder’s Junior Representative Program not only provides a pathway for young players to represent Queensland and Australia in basketball, but to also attend college in the USA and play professionally.
“My goal is to work hard and make a division one team and maybe play overseas in Singapore or America,” Ollie said.
“I love that you have to play as a team to be able to win games and I love the fast pace of the game which makes it hard work but more exciting.”
The team is raising money to travel up to Cairns in July for the State Championships.
Mrs Ross said they are holding a number of fundraisers to help but need community support.
“During the representative season we travel all over Southeast Queensland, including Toowoomba, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast,” she said.
“We would love to have some local businesses sponsor us and we can take their brand with us all over Queensland.”
“One of our families (in the team) owns Hampson Honey so we are doing a honey drive and we are also doing some numbers boards to try and raise some funds.”
For more information contact Logan Basketball on (07) 3801 3566
