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AS A type 1 diabetic, Bendigo Spirit’s Jess Rennie’s path to a WNBL roster hasn’t been smooth sailing.
Coming through the country junior ranks, she’s pushed her way into the SEABL ranks with the Bendigo Lady Braves as well as representing Victoria Country.
So to carry on this amazing rise to earn her place on the WNBL roster with the Bendigo Spirit has been nothing short of scintillating.
A life-long basketball fan, Rennie has to pinch herself every time she hits the hardwood with her Spirit team-mates.
Not just watching the likes of Gabe Richards from the stands… but actually standing alongside them.
“I remember when I used to go to the games and watch the likes of Kelly Wilson, Gabe Richards and Kelsey Griffin when she first started at the Spirit,” Rennie said.
“To play alongside them is amazing, they just know the game inside-out and they’re constantly giving you tips.
“It’s something hard to explain, it’s amazing playing alongside them and having them as your teammates makes you really proud, it’s really special.”
To play in the WNBL is an extraordinary achievement for any individual and one that is made all the more remarkable when managing a life-threatening condition like diabetes on a daily basis. Yet at only 17 years old, the strong-willed Rennie doesn’t view it as a disadvantage.
“I’ve never seen it as a barrier or something negative,” Rennie said. “It’s like any other challenge I’ve just got to deal with it, it’s not going to go away.
“Basketball’s my dream so I’m not going to let it stop me.”
Bendigo Spirit assistant coach and Bendigo Lady Braves head coach Megan Moody has known the Rennie family for close to a decade and is in awe of what Jess has overcome to succeed in her basketball career.
Moody relayed Rennie’s sentiments on working through her condition, seeing limitless potential in the teenager.
“Diabetes has been a factor in her basketball but has not held her back,” Moody said.
“She’s still been able to achieve the success that she’s had, so I hope that any young kid hearing this story will be inspired, knowing that you can also succeed.
“It’s a credit to Jess and what she’s done, to be out there competing and still managing her sugar levels and making sure that she’s eating right, it’s quite impressive and shows the maturity she has.”
As to the reason why Rennie has been able to reach such great heights as a basketball player, Moody points to her work ethic as the key factor behind her inspiring story.
“She’s always putting in extra sessions, applying herself, just striving to be better and not settling,” Moody said.
“She wants to improve on her weaknesses and continue making sure her strengths remain strong.
“She’s a really coachable kid and has the potential for a successful playing future.”
Rennie first started playing for the Bendigo Lady Braves at under-14 level, before making it to the under-16 Victoria Country team before representing the green and gold on a tour of New Zealand.
The Bendigo guard said her parents, who had assisted her through her diabetes from the age of five, inspire her basketball endeavours.
“My parents have made me really proud of what I’ve done,” Rennie said.
“They’ve driven me everywhere and looked after me all this time.
“Kelsey Griffin and Kelly Wilson have also pushed me really far to where I am.
“They’ve always been a role model but now to play alongside them, they’re constantly giving you tips and helping you out because they see that potential, so that gives you a lot more confidence in yourself.”
Communication is the key to managing her condition, according to Rennie, who reminded youngsters dealing with similar issues that it’s simply ‘who you are’.
“Communication is really important with me and my coaches, letting them know how you feel is really important,” she said.
“Always checking my blood sugar throughout the game, making sure that it’s on track…but I can normally feel when I’m where I should be.
“Really important as well is recovery and what I eat, which makes you recover better and keeps your blood sugars level, which lets you keep doing every session.”
With an exciting career ahead of herself, neither Rennie nor Moody are placing a ceiling on Jess’s potential.
A college basketball career is next on Rennie’s agenda, hopefully coming in 2019 after she completes her schooling.
“I didn’t really want to go to college, but that’s changed now,” Rennie said.
“I think it’s my next step, Year 12 next year and then hopefully in 2019 head off to college.
“I think that’d be an experience that I would regret if I didn’t do it.”
Taking a long-term approach, the teenage prospect has lofty aspirations, dreaming one day to represent Australia at an Olympic Games.
“My dream would be to play at the Olympics,” Rennie said.
“You watch it on TV and it looks amazing, but I think to be there and represent your country would be absolutely amazing.”
Moody shared these beliefs, seeing Rennie’s dream as a great thing to aspire to and one that is achievable for the hard-working youngster.
“Definitely sky’s the limit,” she said.
“I think that’s a fantastic goal and I really do hope that that’s something she can one day achieve.
“She’s only 17 years old so who knows what can happen.”
Rennie’s story is one of determination and perseverance, proving that anything is possible with the right attitude.
Story originally appeared n the Basketball Victoriua Country website.