WARRACKNABEAL’S Chloe Bibby said she was ecstatic to have made the under-19 world championship Oceania qualifier team.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bibby will head to the 2016 Oceania qualifiers in Suva, Fiji from December 5-10 with the Jayco Gems team.
The winner of the qualifying tournament will book their place in next year’s under-19 world championships in Italy from July 22-30.
“I put in the hard work but to find out everything I’ve been doing is right was a great feeling,” Bibby said.
Bibby was selected along with 11 other players at a highly competitive camp earlier this month.
Bibby said she never imagined getting to this point.
“I’ve always wanted it but it’s pretty competitive,” she said.
“Once I decided basketball was what I wanted it was full steam ahead.
“The sky is the limit.
“Each step I’ve taken with the under-17s and the WNBL has helped me progress in women’s basketball.”
Bibby re-signed with Dandenong Basketball and the SEABL Rangers in May this year, after playing as a scoring forward in the SEABL Rangers women’s team.
After a knee injury derailed the start to her second league season, Bibby managed to stay on the court for the rest of the year and continued to cement her status as a rising star.
Bibby and the team will have just one training camp together before the side heads to Fiji.
“It will be tough but all the girls are professional enough to work well together,” Bibby said.
Bibby said her parents were happy to hear of her selection.
“I think they were relieved as well because of the pressure,” she said.
“I really wanted to make it!
“I want to thank my parents and all my coaches along the way, I really appreciate all the help.”
Head coach Paul Goriss said narrowing the squad from 18 down to 12 made for several difficult choices.
“We have a great depth of talent across all positions,” Goriss said.
“We have selected a team with versatility, length, athleticism and speed with a defensive mindset. We know the Oceania championships will be challenging on and off the court but we have an adaptable and resilient team with a huge amount of national and international experience.”
At the Oceania qualifiers, eight teams will fight for just one position in the World Championships with the Jayco Gems drawn into Group A alongside host nation Fiji, Samoa and Tahiti while Group B consists of Guam, New Caledonia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
Australia have qualified for every under-19 world championships since the induction of the tournament in 1985, winning a gold medal in 1993 while they have won bronze medals at the past two events.
“It is a privilege and honour to represent Australia and all the staff and players are grateful for the opportunity to put on the green and gold,” Gorris said.
“The work that the coaches put in at school, local, association, representative and national league level has assisted the girls in coming into camp in great shape and we would like to acknowledge the work the coaches in our states and territories are doing to help our athletes achieve their goals.”