Southern Stars show Paralympic team their support

THEY might have lost the World Twenty20 crown but when it comes to being good sports, the Southern Stars are one of Australia’s big hitters.

Daniel Michel, Southern Stars vice-captain Alex Blackwell, Madison de Rozario, keeper Alyssa Healy, Ashlee McClure and Louise Sauvage meet up in Sydney.

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THEY might have lost the World Twenty20 crown but when it comes to being good sports the Southern Stars are one of Australian sports big hitters.

The Windies took their crown earlier this year but on Tuesday some of the rewards of their efforts during the tournament were handed to the Paralympic than.

Every Australian player at the Twenty20 tournament committed to reach into their own pockets to help the Australian Paralympic team, staff and carers get to Rio and set up #Runs4Rio where every four and six scored during the tournament in India raised money for their cause/

“It makes us feel a part of their team now’’ said Australian vice-captain Alex Blackwell after handing the Paralympic team a cheque for the $4200 raised by the Southern Stars team and support staff.

“Doing this actually bought us together as a team as well.

“It gave us something else to focus on at the tournament.’’

Blackwell said she will never forget the days she and fellow cricketers had to struggle for every cent and wanted to prevent this happening to the Paralympians.

“I also loved watching the Paralympics on the TV when they were in London,’’ said Blackwell, who knew Paralympic great Louise Sauvage from a motivational talk she had given to Sydney Thunder last season.

Paralympic great Louise Sauvage is now a coach and also heading to Rio with the team.

“I loved hearing them talk about their pride in representing Australia and thanking everyone. It was something that really resonated with me.’

“I’ve been playing for 13 years and while we are professional now I was a part of it when we weren’t even close. That’s something you don’t forget.’’

Originally published as Southern Stars show Paralympic team their support