Basketballer scores abroad

A LOCAL basketballer is shooting high after a more-than-two-week trip abroad representing Australia in the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin.

Having taken home the bronze during the national games in Tasmania last year, Tameka Strickland scored the medal again during her 17 days overseas.

Part of a 10-person team representing Australia, Strickland said it was amazing to come across the different players and teams.

“The highlight was versing all the different countries and meeting different people from all around the world,” she said.

“The opening ceremony was incredible too. There were acrobats and entertainment. We walked out onto Olympic Stadium which was awesome, and very loud.

“It was great looking at all the culture as well over a lot of years. We visited places like the zoo, the palace in Potsdam, East Side Gallery, and the Berlin Wall.”

Formerly a C Grade player, Strickland stepped up to B Grade during the Games’ grading matches.

She played 16 games, winning the bronze in a match against Kazakhstan and the trip was Strickland’s first time abroad.

Tameka’s mother Nicole was with her every step of the trip, and said it was great to see her daughter play overseas following months of practice and fundraising.

“I’m so proud of her,” she said. “I can’t believe we ended up in Berlin. I was blown away after Tassie, but another country was something else.”

“You don’t realise how far away Europe is. We hadn’t even considered going there so it was awesome.”

Diagnosed with an intellectual disability, Tameka is part of the Sovereign Knights Basketball Club and was back playing with her team days after her return.

She said she aims to make her way to the next Special Olympics World Games, with her training schedule expanded in preparation for the event’s nationals.