After Kim Hampton, 43, became an amputee five years ago, she thought her sporting days had well and truly come to an end.
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But now, the determined Hampton has returned to the court with the Kilsyth Cobras in the Women's National Wheelchair Basketball League.
It's not the first time Hampton has played with the team, having a short stint with the Cobras two seasons ago, but was unfortunately hampered by a shoulder injury.
"The first year with the team was very intimidating, I really didn't know what to expect," Hampton said.
"A lot of the players in the WNWBL have competed for Australia in international leagues."
However, there's nothing Hampton loves more than a challenge.
Hampton became an amputee following an injury sustained while playing baseball in Melbourne.
She injured her knee when sliding onto the home base and following a few failed surgeries and knee replacements - it only left Hampton in excruciating pain.
"None of the surgeries worked out," she said.
"After the replacement my knee kept seizing up - I had a rod implanted in my knee and couldn't bend it for 12 months.
"It was then my decision to source out more information on becoming an amputee."
Following the operation, Hampton was then faced with new challenges.
"It was very difficult for the first 12 months," Hampton said.
"I didn't want to do anything - I couldn't do any of the things I would normally do."
During the rehabilitation process she was persuaded by her physiotherapist to have a go at wheelchair basketball.
"She kicked me up the bum and got me into gear," Hampton laughed.
First playing basketball with the Bendigo Braves, Hampton fell in love with the sport.
"It's great to be part of the Braves, to put on that singlet to represent Bendigo," Hampton said.
The selection to the Cobras in the Women's National Wheelchair Basketball League will see Hampton play for one of only six teams that compete in the competition.
Hampton also volunteers at Bendigo Health where she is able to share her experience to help motivate patients who have recently become amputees.
The Kilsyth Cobras 2019 WNWBL will commence in May, with Kilsyth's first game on the road to Western Australia to play the Perth Wheelcats.
The Wheelchair Braves and Kilsyth Cobras have seen success in many of its athletes, including that of star player Jontee Brown who has competed on the world's stage with the Australian national team and in European leagues with German team RBC Koln 99ers.
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