Australian rollers Clarence McCarthy-Grogan and Tom O’Neill Thorne working hard ahead of 2021 Paralympics

NORTHERN Territory’s own Clarence McCarthy-Grogan and Tom O’Neill Thorne are training hard in preparation for the upcoming Australian Rollers Camp, which will play a critical role in team selection heading to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Para athletes Tom O’Neil-Thorne (left) and Clarence “CJ” McCarthy-Grogan are training hard for 2021 Paralympics selections. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

NORTHERN Territory’s own Clarence McCarthy-Grogan and Tom O’Neill Thorne are training hard in preparation for the upcoming Australian Rollers Camp, which will play a critical role in team selection heading to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

The wheelchair basketball stars returned to Darwin earlier this year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and have since been training hard each week to maintain their match fitness.

While in Darwin they’ve been working hard to give back to the local competition, which played a key part in their own development by mentoring players and coaches alike.

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McCarthy-Grogan, who was to enter his fifth year as a senior at the University of Texas, continues to juggle study with training, which can be a challenge considering classes are often after 1am NT time. He missed out on selection for the 2016 Rio Olympics but considers it a dream come true to be named in the extended squad for the 2021 edition.

“It means everything to be selected. It has been a dream of mine for a long time,” McCarthy-Grogan told the NT News.

“I saw the squad play on TV during the Beijing Olympics with players I’ve since played with and against, and now I’m in that squad and just have to keep working to make the dream come true.

“I wouldn’t be here without the support of my parents and so much of this is a credit to them. It would be wonderful to make the team next year.”

O’Neill-Thorne, who played a big part in Australia’s Paralympics qualification in Thailand last year, echoed his compatriots excited at being selected.

“It’s awesome to be named in that team again. Every time you get put on that list it’s a shock,” O’Neill-Thorne said.

“There’s obviously a bit of disappointment because we’re meant to be out there now but I’m really excited to see what the next year brings.

“I’m really enjoying being back in the safety and warmth of the NT surrounded by friends and family.

The duo have been training hard with Basketball NT’s high performance and development manager Rod Tremlett three times a week to ensure they’re in top shape for the upcoming camp.

They’ve also hosted an exhibition wheelchair basketball match to further promote the sport in the Top End.

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“The boys are working hard and sacrificing a lot to ensure they are as prepared as they can be in the lead-up to the Rollers selection camp,” Tremlett said.

“It’s tough not knowing when the camp will be but the boys know they have to ready to go at any time in this current environment.”