Abbey Wehrung thought she was so far off the Commonwealth Games radar she almost deleted the email inviting her to a 'dare to dream' information session at the AIS Arena.
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But the Canberra Capitals guard has emerged as an Australian Opals bolter and a strong WNBL season could launch an unexpected Commonwealth Games campaign.
Wehrung joined Capitals teammates Nat Hurst and Lauren Scherf at a Commonwealth Games briefing at the AIS earlier this week as the countdown to the Gold Coast event heats up.
Wehrung enjoyed a breaking season for the Capitals last season and was part of Australia's world university games gold-medal winning team last month.
"But the Commonwealth Games definitely wasn't on my radar. I saw an email about it, but I had no idea what it was for," Wehrung said.
"It is exciting to know you're being thought about it. But I thought the email was about the uni games so I overlooked it, then I got a reminder about this 'dare to dream' thing.
"When I actually read it, it was pretty special. Commonwealth Games has been at the back of my mind, but not an immediate goal. I know it's going to be tough, but it is something I can strive for."
The Capitals will play a pre-season game against the Sydney Flames on Saturday as they edge closer to the start of the WNBL campaign on October 6.
Wehrung will be a crucial cog in Canberra's hopes of ending a seven-year finals drought and is one of only three players left from last year's roster.
The talented guard's impressive play launched her on to new Opals coach Sandy Brondello's development list and she is now within reach of her international dream.
Wehrung, 21, has already played three WNBL seasons after former Opals coach Carrie Graf recruited her to Canberra as a teenager.
"The league is going to be really tough this year ... but that's exciting and especially with the Commonwealth Games to strive for, it's going to make it more fierce, competitive and fun," Wehrung said.
"Under [Canberra coach Paul Goriss] I think development is unlimited because he's so supportive. I think I can take it to another level. Hopefully I can just keep stepping it up."
The Capitals added the final player to their roster earlier this week when United States import Jordan Hooper arrived in Canberra.
She will play against the Flames and has less than two weeks to settle into the new environment before the Capitals start their season against the Bendigo Spirit at the National Convention Centre.
CAPITALS PRE-SEASON
Saturday: Sydney Flames v Capitals at Brydens Stadium, Sydney, 3pm.
CANBERRA CAPITALS WNBL DRAW
October 6: Capitals v Bendigo Spirit at National Convention Centre, 7.30pm.
October 8: Capitals v Adelaide Lightning at National Convention Centre, 3pm
October 13: Townsville Fire v Capitals at Townsville, 7pm.
October 15: Capitals v Melbourne Boomers at National Convention Centre, 3pm.
October 22: Capitals v Dandenong Rangers at National Convention Centre, 3pm.
October 25: Adelaide Lightning v Capitals at Adelaide, 7pm.
October 27: Capitals v Townsville Fire at National Convention Centre, 7.30pm.
November 2: Sydney Flames v Capitals at Sydney, 7pm.
November 4: Capitals v Sydney Flames at National Convention Centre, 3pm.
November 11: Perth Lynx v Capitals at Perth, 9.30pm.
November 18: Melbourne Boomers v Capitals at Melbourne, 3pm.
November 25: Capitals v Bendigo Spirit at Melbourne, 5pm.
November 30: Perth Lynx v Capitals at Perth, 9.30pm.
December 2: Melbourne Boomers v Capitals at Melbourne, 7.30pm.
December 7: Capitals v Sydney Flames at National Convention Centre, 7.30pm.
December 9: Dandenong Rangers v Capitals at Dandenong, 7pm.
December 14: Bendigo Spirit v Capitals at Bendigo, 7pm.
December 17: Capitals v Adelaide Lightning at National Convention Centre, 3pm.
December 21: Capitals v Townsville at National Convention Centre, 7.30pm.
December 23: Dandenong Rangers v Capitals at Dandenong, 6.30pm.
December 29: Capitals v Perth Lynx at National Convention Centre, 7.30pm.
