Driven young athlete on the path to playing elite basketball

Meekah Schurmann was the only player from the Maranoa at a prestigious training camp for young basketballers. Her local coach says she’s driven to succeed in her favourite sport.

Meekah Schurmann.

BASKETBALL :Meekah Schurmann’s entire life is basketball; she lives and breathes the sport and is already on her way to playing professionally.

The young Roma athlete has returned from a seven-week training camp with the Brisbane Bullets Academy – well known in the basketball community as a pathway to the elite level.

Schurmann said her biggest inspiration to join the academy was her sporting hero: NBA All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“I am inspired by Giannis Antetokounmpo because even though he had a rough childhood, he still managed to overcome the obstacles through hard work and determination,” she said.

“He proves anything is possible.”

Schurmann was the only player from the Maranoa Basketball Association to be involved in the prestigious Brisbane Bullets program.

Coach Mat Gane is immensely proud of his student, said Schurmann’s drive and dedication to the sport is what got her there.

“There are some kids that just play for the fun and, while Meekah does, that she wants to learn and get better every session,” he said.

“As a coach you find some athletes that just want to train and play, and usually turn up to everything; they are easy to coach, and Meekah is one of those kind of players.

“Meekah has the drive to become a very good basketball player and I congratulate her and her parents for making such a big commitment being from a regional area.

“It is these opportunities that give players a dream and a drive.”

The Brisbane Bullets Academy is for young players aged 11-17; locally, even more opportunities have been offered to the Maranoa’s young basketballers.

In recent months, the kids of the MBA have been coached by some of the best in Australia including Mick Downer, Jeremy Kendle, Brian Kerle, Pop Dickerson, Andre Moore, and several Brisbane Bullets players who visited the region.

Gane said every guest has made a massive difference to the local kids, who have refined their skills immensely.

“While we have great coaches here at home, kids need to be coached by different and more elite coaches from time to time,” Gane said

“With them, they can push their skill and personal development to the next level.”

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