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The Australian Devils will contest the IWBF Women’s U25 Wheelchair Basketball World Championships for the third time, after falling short in the gold medal match at the previous two editions in 2011 and 2015.
Joining them this year is 20-year-old Maryanne Latu.
Latu, from Sydney, NSW, started playing wheelchair basketball when she was 15 years old and received her first major international call-up to the Devils this year.
“I honestly feel honoured and blessed to represent my country; not only that, but represent my family and my background,” said Latu, whose parents were both born in Tonga.
“It is really important as a young player to participate in the U25 World Championships because it allows us to show the skills we have and our ability to play from a young age.”
Latu said that the team has benefited from training camps at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, ACT.
“We’ve been working hard, and our aim at the tournament is to work on getting that one per cent right, such as picking, crossing, communications – both on court and off.
“I’m really looking forward to playing at an international level,” she added.
The Devils will open their World Championships campaign against Germany at 7pm AEST on Thursday (23 May).
By the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation
Posted: 21/05/2019
Photo with thanks to Basketball Australia
