JESSIE Rennie’s talent on the basketball court has been rewarded with selection for her first international tour.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 14-year-old forward is one of two Bendigo Junior Braves players chosen to attend the Pacific Rim tournament in New Zealand at Easter as part of Australian Country representative squads.
Rennie made the under-16 girls team following her outstanding performance at the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup in Albury.
She was instrumental in helping the Vic Bushrangers development team make the under-16 grand final, which they lost to the Vic Goldminers.
But the disappointment was tempered when her name was called out among those in the All-Star squad at the closing ceremony.
“I was very shocked,” she said. “I thought maybe there’s another Jessie Rennie out there.”
The Catholic College year nine student plays club basketball for Generals and is a member of the Bendigo Junior Braves under-16A squad that won last weekend’s local junior tournament.
Mum Sharon Rennie said her family was still trying to get their heads around the news, though they hoped to be able to travel to Tauranga to watch the action.
“We didn’t even have passports and nobody has been on a plane before, so we are trying to get organised so we can go,” she said.
“It is very exciting.”
Kyneton young gun Ethan Cunningham, who also plays for the Bendigo Junior Braves, was chosen in the Australian Country under-14 squad, while Maryborough rising star Bella Westbrook made the under-14 girls’ team.
Rennie’s Braves team-mate Hayley Harrington is an emergency for the Australian Country under-16 girls and Bendigo official Tanya Moore is a team manager.
Basketball Victoria Country spokesman Dave Huxtable said the teenagers’ selection was not only recognition of their talent, but a fantastic opportunity for them to gain experience playing basketball in an international environment.