Neers star determined to turn 1700km weekly trek into QSL title

On and off the court Cameron Weber is living out his dreams, now the Toowoomba Mountaineers veteran is determined to turn a weekly 1700km commitment into a QSL championship.

Cameron Weber is playing his last season as a Toowoomba Mountaineer, and is determined to finish with a premiership. Picture: Kevin Farmer.

More than 25 years after starting his basketball journey Cameron Weber has declared this season will be his last.

However the 35-year-old Toowoomba Mountaineers veteran, who first started playing at the age of 8, is adamant this Saturday’s game will not be his last.

“All I’m focused on is doing whatever I need to do in order for us to get that championship,” Weber said ahead of the Mountaineers QSL 1 semi-final.

“I haven’t won one (championship) yet, but this is the year that changes.

“This season is the best chance we’ve had in a long time and I’ll do whatever it takes to win.”

Cameron Weber setting up for a free-throw. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Cameron Weber going for a lay-up. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Weber’s commitment is unquestionable with the sharpshooter making a more than 1700km round trip to play for the Mountaineers.

For more than a month Weber has been ‘commuting’ between Sydney and Toowoomba after accepting a ‘dream job’ as the Head of Athlete Development at high school.

Despite the move, Weber said that not finishing out the season was ‘out of the question’.

“I’ve been travelling to and from Sydney for five weeks now,” he said.

“I’m still playing for the team as I want to repay them for all the time and effort they’ve put into me over the years.

“And after bouncing around clubs and sitting out a couple of seasons, it’ll be nice to finish up my career where it all started.”

Weber said his commitment to the team is not only to repay the club, but to make sure he finishes his career on his own terms.

“I thought that last year was it,” Weber said.

“With the injury to my knee and being unable to finish out the season, I thought I was done.

“I decided that wasn’t how I wanted to finish, so I came back for one last time and now we’re here.”

Weber’s commitment to the Mountaineers has been matched by his family and close friends.

“My family has been really great,” he said.

“Fortunately my dad and partner have been able to give me lifts to games and airports, which has saved me a lot of time and stress.

“I wouldn’t have been able to make this happen without their help.

“It hasn’t all been easy.

“Initially it (travel) wasn’t too bad, but the last couple of times due to bad traffic, railway work and delayed flights, the physical toll has become more difficult.

“Sometimes due to the double-headers, late flights and traffic delays, I don’t get home till the early hours of the morning – then I get up and get ready for work at 5.15am the same day.

“But, I’m going to continue to do what is best for the team.”

The Mountaineers men host Rip City on Saturday July 8 at UniSQ’s Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre. Tip-off is 7pm.