Short to Represent Victoria

Ballarat’s Sam Short has been selected to represent Victoria at the 2016 Under 20 Australian Junior Championships.

 The National Championships will be held from the 14th – 20th February when Australia’s very best youngsters travel to Ipswich, Queensland. Short will be joined by just one other Victoria Country member with the rest of the team being made up of Victoria Metro players.

The selection trials for the side started way back in October with State Head Coach Trevor Lee saying “It was a very difficult process with a number of athletes committed to other programs such as the Centre of Excellence, players overseas at College visits and school exams.” The final makeup of the 10 man side includes six (6) players from last years under 20 National Championship winning team with the final four spots taken by players who have previously represented Victoria Metro or Victoria Country.

The Under 20 National Championship combines both Metro and Country players in one team where in other National Championship age groups Metro and Country players have played separately.

Short having captained the under 18 Victorian Country side in 2015 is looking forward to getting to Ipswich “I am excited to play in the Championships and hopefully bring back the gold.”

Short continued “I’m one of only two bottom aged players in the team with six teammates having already represented Australia. So it will be a great experience for me and I hope to continue to develop and improve my game.”

Basketball Ballarat’s Manager of Coach and Athletes Development Nathan Cooper-Brown passed on his congratulations to Short saying “What another wonderful achievement for Sam in his junior basketball career.”  Cooper-Brown added “Sam continues to prove that hard work pays off and his selection in this highly talented team is a testament to his work ethic and passion to basketball.”

Short will join his team mates in the coming days in preparation for the Championships and everyone at Basketball Ballarat wishes him the best of luck.

Other Basketball Ballarat representatives heading to Ipswich include Matthew Tuddenham, Amy Moore and Brad Molenkamp all involved with the Ivor Burge Victorian Country Mens team.

For more information on Sam Shorts National Championship campaign please contact Elite Teams Administrator Melissa Thomas via 5330 7604 or Melissa.Thomas@ballaratbasketball.com