Teenage basketballer dedicates herself to club

OLIVIA Cauchi calls her basketball association a “second home” and enjoys giving back to the club.

Basketball player Olivia Cauchi,14, is a nominee for the Young Sporting Spirit award. Picture: Peter Kelly

OLIVIA Cauchi calls her basketball association a “second home” and enjoys giving back to the club.

Nominated for the Young Sporting Spirit award for her sportsmanship, Olivia not only plays but is a budding coach and referee.

She spends most afternoons and Sundays at Springwood and Districts Basketball Association’s courts during the season.

“I coach an U12s team, I started at the start of last year,” Olivia, 14, said.

“I’m not sure if I am very good at it but it’s fun and they are all very energetic.”

The Blaxland resident said she likes “to try new things”, which pushed her in the direction of trying her hand at being a referee.

She currently calls the shots for boys and girls U12s teams right through to U19s.

“It can be challenging but it’s personality building – it sort of toughens me up.”

The youngster often volunteers at the club as a way of saying thank you to those who have taught her.

In terms of her own skill on the ball court, Olivia plays guard and said she can “shoot three-pointers”, but doesn’t like to “hog the ball”.

Looking up to the Opals and Lauren Jackson, she started learning to play five years ago and the next year gave competition a go.

Now taking on challengers at club and representative level, she competes in the U19s and U16s respectively.

Olivia, who stands about 164cm high, said the biggest challenge she faces is coming up against taller girls.

“It’s good sometimes because I can run faster ... so I can get by unnoticed a lot,” she said.

How to enter

Categories are Junior Sports Star, Young Sporting Spirit, Team Spirit and Service to Sport

The major sponsor is Rebel, along with Sports TG and Simonds Homes

Enter online at juniorsportstar.com.au

Olivia is a nominee for the Young Sporting Spirit award.

Basketball player Olivia Cauchi.