Rowville’s Teisha Shadwell fulfilling her basketball dream

ROWVILLE’s Teisha Shadwell isn’t letting a crippling foot injury get in the way of fulfilling her dream of being an elite basketballer.

Teisha Shadwell is not letting injury stop her from playing basketball. Picture: Chris Eastman

ROWVILLE’s Teisha Shadwell isn’t letting a crippling foot injury get in the way of fulfilling her dream of being an elite basketballer.

The 14-year-old, who has played basketball since she was five, broke her hand and suffered two fractures in her foot while competing for the Knox Raiders at the National Championships in September last year.

Her foot injury failed to heal properly and doctors gave her a 10 per cent chance of playing able-bodied basketball again.

Determined to keep playing the sport she loves, Teisha started playing wheelchair basketball in January, training with the Kilsyth Cobras.

The talented basketballer was named in the club’s Women’s National Wheelchair Basketball League team within six weeks.

She also now trains with the Kevin Coombs Cup national team and representatives from the Australian Gliders wheelchair team.

“It’s really good; everyone’s nice there and welcoming,” Teisha said.

“It was something different, I wasn’t used to running and walking on my legs and now I’m using my hands more.”

Teisha is a Knox Leader junior sports star nominee.

Leader Local Sports Stars medallists will be named in seven categories including juniors, teams, individuals, and encouragement.

The program is now a national celebration, and junior category winners will be judged for national awards.

Cash prizes as well as vouchers from our sponsor Sportsmart are up for grabs.

For full details and to nominate an athlete, go to localsportsstars.com.au