I guess the journey technically started 4 years ago when the Beijing Paralympics finished but the Perth contingency of the Gliders have finished their first flight and are in Singapore waiting for their next flight to Heathrow. Our flight is delayed til 2 something in the morning so thank god for Gold Frequent Flyer cards and Qantas Club!
It is cool to see people wandering the airport wearing the blue APC polo knowing we will all eventually be together in the Athlete Villiage in a few weeks. After watching the Olympics on tv it's exciting that it is now our time to do Australia proud. We still have a few things to do before moving into the Athlete Villiage though - the Gliders are actually on their way to the Netherlands for a short tournament in Arnhem. We will be playing against the Netherlands, Mexico, Canada and GB.
After that tournament we will be checking into the Australian Staging Camp in Cardiff, Wales on the 19th of August where we will get our Australian team uniform (how exciting!) and have several training sessions before FINALLY moving into the Athlete Village on the 25th of August.
For information about our games at the Paralympics you can check out the official London Paralympics website for wheelchair basketball: CLICK HERE
The main website for the Australian Paralympic team is also a decent read as well. The media team for the APC have done really well! CLICK HERE
Don't forget to follow my tweets on Twitter! @clarenott10 (not sure how blue tick verification occurs, but I can confirm that account is me!!)
- 15 days til the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Paralympics!
14 August 2012
22 July 2012
Gold Coast and World Challenge
Two weeks of basketball.
The first week the Gliders were on the Gold Coast for a training camp and two “friendly” games against the Germans. Friendly being emphasised because no game is ever friendly because everyone wants to win but they’re still called friendly because they don’t count towards a tournament but they’re more than a mere scrimmage. Gliders training sessions can be pretty intense as well - check out this bruise I got from a massive stack that was completely my own fault:
The first week the Gliders were on the Gold Coast for a training camp and two “friendly” games against the Germans. Friendly being emphasised because no game is ever friendly because everyone wants to win but they’re still called friendly because they don’t count towards a tournament but they’re more than a mere scrimmage. Gliders training sessions can be pretty intense as well - check out this bruise I got from a massive stack that was completely my own fault:
Most meals were at the Surf Club across from where we were staying at Main Beach. The lift to go up/down stairs was very slow and only fitted two small chairs at once so I very quickly learnt a new lift skill – going down stairs by myself. I have never had to try do it before, but after watching a few of the other Gliders do it I thought to myself that I should be able to do it – so I did.
We had two great “friendly” games against the Germans. The
first game we lost but it was still a great offensive and defensive game for
the Gliders. The second game we won by 1 point – in double overtime!! The
second game went for over two hours! Double overtime plus a fairly long break
when the shot clock decided not to work and staff spent a while trying to fix
it. The solution was a shot clock iPad application.
The weather wasn’t very good while we were there; raining
for the most of it. We had one day off and the weather was beautiful for half
that day. On the day off some Gliders went to Sea World where KG won a
basketball competition and SS got to hug a seal, and other Gliders went bargain
shopping at Harbor Town. I had a day of relaxation and pampered myself to a new
nail polish, movies and some book reading.
We got drenched on two nights when we had dinner at the
Yacht club and we had to walk/push home in the rain. It wasn’t exactly pouring
down with rain but it wasn’t a drizzle either. My lulu ‘Run in the Rain’ jacket
had a push in the rain. It smelt like wet dog smell afterwards.
For the second week we flew from Brisbane to Sydney for a
tournament named the Rollers and Gliders World Challenge which was held at
Homebush/Olympic Park. We stayed at the Pullman Hotel which was pretty swish. Breakfast being a massive spread of breads, fruits,
cereals, hot food, eggs made to order and Nespesso coffee (in miniature cups).
Lunch was whatever you wanted (several restaurants in short walking/pushing
distance) and dinner on level 1 baymerie style catered by the hotel. The beds were very soft (which I love!) and my room which I shared with CC was fairly spacious after some rearrangment of furniture.
On the first night there we tried on our Australian Paralympic team uniform just in case we needed to exchange sizes. The clothing is mainly 2XU and I won't say any more than this: we are going to look great!!
The four teams that competed in the women’s tournament were Australia, Germany, China and Japan. Japan are not going to the Paralympics so they have a few new faces on their team which they will be developing over the next few years. The three teams that competed in the men’s tournament were Australia, Great Britain and Japan.
The four teams that competed in the women’s tournament were Australia, Germany, China and Japan. Japan are not going to the Paralympics so they have a few new faces on their team which they will be developing over the next few years. The three teams that competed in the men’s tournament were Australia, Great Britain and Japan.
We played one “friendly” game against China before the
tournament started. We won this game 60 to 41. China flew into Sydney that
morning so they were probably a bit tired (I definitely would not want to have
to play the same day as travel). Every Glider hit the court and nearly all of
us added to the score board.
Our first proper game was against Japan. We won this game 67
to 41. As I mentioned before, Japan have a few new players on their team, some
being 13 or 14 years of age. We went through a few lulls where we lowered our
intensity and did a few silly turn overs, especially the third quarter where
Japan actually scored more than we did, but we managed to pull ourselves
together and run the plays we wanted to play against Germany the next day. Like
the day before, all Gliders hit the court and all but two Gliders added to the
score board.
The next day we had a free morning before the game against
the Germans in the evening. I went to the Nike and Adidas factories a short
drive away with 3 other Gliders. I managed to find myself two pairs of new
shoes and two tops, and for my husband I bought two tops and two pairs of
shorts. Gliders know how to shop!
The Gliders played amazingly against the Germans. We started
off strong (20 to 7 after the first quarter!) and played a strong end game
despite the Germans getting pretty close at a few stages (they won the third
quarter). We won the game 53 to 45. I’m so proud of the Gliders winning that
game. The Germans have been the favourites to win the gold medal but we have
beat them twice now! My dad and step-mum were at this game so I am glad they
were able to watch me compete internationally for the first time in a game
where we fought so hard and came out on top.
At this stage we hadn’t guaranteed ourselves a spot in the
grand final. The next day we had to beat the Chinese team otherwise the top
three teams would be in a tie for having 2 wins each and the teams going into
the grand final would be decided by the for/against percentages. We didn’t want
this to happen because we have been there and done that at the AOZ
Qualification Tournament in South Korea last year. It was a close game against
the Chinese – we had the lower score after the first half but we came back and
had a great fourth quarter (scoring 21 to their 9 in the 4th q!) and
finished on top! We won the game 57 to 45. We are in the grand final!
The Germans won their game against Japan so we played them
in the grand final. There was a massive crowed at the Sydney Olympic Sports
Centre so the pressure was on the Gliders to get a win in front of a home crowd
(which included many VIP’s from Basketball Australia and the Australian
Paralympic Committee). We were down after the first quarter but we gave the
crowd some ‘edge of the seat’ entertainment as the leaders switched between the
Gliders and the Germans several times. Both teams had a pretty shocking
shooting game but the Gliders reputable defence helped win the game by a narrow
margin of 2 points. We won the grand final 48 to 46!
After the men’s grand final (won by the Aussie Rollers!),
there was a short ceremony where the team captains of the Gliders and Rollers
were presented with a trophy and the All Star 5 and MVP’s were announced for
both the men and women. I was honoured with a spot on the All Star 5 which was
a very nice surprise (we didn’t even know they were doing individual awards)
and AM from the Gliders was awarded MVP as well as a spot on the All Star 5. AM
was also awarded the Glider’s Player’s Player award. Very much deserved after
several stellar shooting games. Basketball Australia also presented both the Gliders and Rollers with their Paralympic rings - a gift for being selected onto the Australian Paralympic Team. They're beautiful! It is unfortunate that it is too big for my pinkies and too small for every other finger. A few of the Gliders have discussed trying to get them re-sized at a jeweller.
Thank you to Dad and Neryl for driving up from Maitland to
be at the two games against Germany. It was sad to say ‘see ya later’ after the
grand final because I haven’t organised next year yet so I’m not sure when ‘later’
will be. Might have to organise a holiday over there to stock up on some good
ol’ Hunter Valley wines.
Also thanks to the three Gliders who weren’t selected to go
to London but still came to cheer us on at the World Challenge. It would have
been hard being on the other side of the basketball court but your support
means a lot to us. Once a Glider always a Glider :)
That night we were able to relax and enjoy ourselves before
flying out the next day.
It was smiles all round for the Gliders, now having
three wins against the Germans. We have improved so much this year, but we
still have a lot of hard work to do before securing a gold medal. Teams such as
the Netherlands will be tough to beat and we haven’t seen or played against the
Brazil or Canadian teams in a while.
 |
| Mucking around with Kat's hair - my first attempt at a sideways braid |
The next three and a half weeks for me will be filled with
lots of shooting sessions, weights sessions at Jetts Fitness Kingsway, a talk
for a school, an official farewell for the WA based Paralympians and some work
and the start of semester two of university squashed in there somewhere. Oh,
and my birthday just before we leave!
- 38 days to go til the London Paralympics!
05 July 2012
Official team announcement!
So it is official! I am honoured to be able to say that I will be representing Australia at the London Paralympics for wheelchair basketball!
I have actually known since the start of June when the Gliders had their training camp in Perth, however we were sworn to secrecy until the APC officially announced it. Which was this morning at the WA Basketball Centre!
Read the official media release on the APC's website: CLICK HERE!
ABC is the official broadcaster for the APC at the London Paralympics, but Channel 10 also aired a piece on TV tonight. To watch: CLICK HERE!
I would like to thank a few organisations:
Special mentions to:
Thank you to everyone else that has ever supported me or my team - it is greatly appreciated!
The following girls will be going to the London Paralympics for wheelchair basketball. If you have a Twitter account then feel free to follow their road to London as well!
Amber Merritt – @bambibabydoll
Leanne del Toso – @leannedeltoso
Bridie Kean – @brideski
Cobi Crispin – @CobiEllen
Shelley Chaplin – @ShelleyChaplin
Sarah Stewart – @SarahStewartAus
Tina McKenzie – @tinamac8
Katie Hill – @katie_lee_hill
Kylie Gauci – @kyliegauci11
Sarah Vinci – @Sarah_Vinci
Clare Nott – @clarenott10
Amanda Carter – @Amanda_Carter64
Of course, with every team announcement there are the handful of Glider's who weren't selected to be part of the team, despite the blood, sweat, and tears they endured and the hard work and sacrifices they made over the last 4 years. To my beautiful sissy, you will be right there with me in spirit. xx
Next week the 12 girls mentioned above will train on the Gold Coast before heading to Sydney for the Gliders World Challenge. Today I was interviewed and asked which other teams we would be competing against and I had a total mental blank. I play like a boss no matter who we play - no opponent should have an easy game against us! (I can now tell you that we will be playing against Germany, Japan and China). For ticketing information for the Gliders (and Rollers) World Challenge: CLICK HERE!
- 55 days til the London Paralympics
PS. The Western Stars came 3rd! I just realised I haven't written about the WNWBL finals yet. We were disappointed to not make the grand final, but we were super happy to win bronze. Congrats to the Melbourne girls for their back to back win. Their shooting % over the finals weekend was amazing!
I have actually known since the start of June when the Gliders had their training camp in Perth, however we were sworn to secrecy until the APC officially announced it. Which was this morning at the WA Basketball Centre!
Read the official media release on the APC's website: CLICK HERE!
ABC is the official broadcaster for the APC at the London Paralympics, but Channel 10 also aired a piece on TV tonight. To watch: CLICK HERE!
I would like to thank a few organisations:
- Basketball Australia;
- the Australian Paralympic Committee;
- the Australian Government;
- the Australian Sports Commission;
- the Western Australian Institute of Sport;
- Wheelchair Sports WA;
- Murdoch University (and the Murdoch Elite Athlete Program);
Special mentions to:
- My family, especially my husband Lee who has to put up with me being away all the time and who will be flying to London to cheer me along (look for him and his brother when camera's pan across the crowd!) and my Dad and step-mum in Newcastle, NSW who drive to Sydney or fly to Melbourne when they can to watch me compete.
- All the ladies at work who also put up with me being away all the time (thank you for the special lunch today!).
- RAM Wheelchairs for making me a FANTASTIC basketball wheelchair to compete in at the London Paralympics.
- The rest of the Glider's squad and coaching staff!
- and this little guy who would like to come with me but unfortunately can't:
 |
| a) Taj cuddles for the camera b) Wanting to come with me c) Stealing my Australian playing singlet |
The following girls will be going to the London Paralympics for wheelchair basketball. If you have a Twitter account then feel free to follow their road to London as well!
Amber Merritt – @bambibabydoll
Leanne del Toso – @leannedeltoso
Bridie Kean – @brideski
Cobi Crispin – @CobiEllen
Shelley Chaplin – @ShelleyChaplin
Sarah Stewart – @SarahStewartAus
Tina McKenzie – @tinamac8
Katie Hill – @katie_lee_hill
Kylie Gauci – @kyliegauci11
Sarah Vinci – @Sarah_Vinci
Clare Nott – @clarenott10
Amanda Carter – @Amanda_Carter64
Of course, with every team announcement there are the handful of Glider's who weren't selected to be part of the team, despite the blood, sweat, and tears they endured and the hard work and sacrifices they made over the last 4 years. To my beautiful sissy, you will be right there with me in spirit. xx
Next week the 12 girls mentioned above will train on the Gold Coast before heading to Sydney for the Gliders World Challenge. Today I was interviewed and asked which other teams we would be competing against and I had a total mental blank. I play like a boss no matter who we play - no opponent should have an easy game against us! (I can now tell you that we will be playing against Germany, Japan and China). For ticketing information for the Gliders (and Rollers) World Challenge: CLICK HERE!
- 55 days til the London Paralympics
PS. The Western Stars came 3rd! I just realised I haven't written about the WNWBL finals yet. We were disappointed to not make the grand final, but we were super happy to win bronze. Congrats to the Melbourne girls for their back to back win. Their shooting % over the finals weekend was amazing!
11 June 2012
Wheelchair Basketball Week
The IPC have annouced this week to be Wheelchair Basketball week in their 20-week sport series on Twitter. Their account is @Paralympic. One of their posts included a short video about wheelchair basketball. View it below:
The footage is taken from the 2008 Beijing Paralympics and the Gliders obviously forgot that games are filmed and televised. What were we thinking?? The 5 person clap on court with a big zoom in on my big laugh is a touch embarrassing but hey any attention/publicity is good attention/publicity right?? Erg!
I found the following video after watching the above video. Good on ya Kylie! I'm assuming it was taken before the Beijing Paralympics. Unfortunately we didn't get the gold there (we won the bronze) but fingers crossed the Gliders get the gold in London!
In other news: my house didn't lose power and nothing has blown away. Taj was a bit wet and shaken when we got home. We are still expecting a few more storms in Perth so hopefully there will be no more damage during those ones. On Sunday, my husband and I had to do a lot of driving around the Fremantle to Canningvale area and we saw A LOT of fallen trees and branches on the road. One poor bloke had a branch through his car windscreen.
Lastly, I made it into the Wheelchair Sports WA Wheelies Mail (both my names did!)! Thank you for your support guys :)
Flash and Thunder are currently at the $500 mark for raising money for Wheelchair Sports WA. Any support would be greatly appreciated! 100% tax deductible donations can be done HERE. And you can read their training blog HERE. I can hear my husband tapping away on his laptop, so expect a new training blog soon! September is approaching!
My uni lecturer would have hated the lack of "flow" in today's post. I jumped from one topic to another quite dramatically - but meh - this doesn't count towards my degree :) Speaking of which: one more semester to go!!
- 79 days to go til London Paralympics!
The footage is taken from the 2008 Beijing Paralympics and the Gliders obviously forgot that games are filmed and televised. What were we thinking?? The 5 person clap on court with a big zoom in on my big laugh is a touch embarrassing but hey any attention/publicity is good attention/publicity right?? Erg!
I found the following video after watching the above video. Good on ya Kylie! I'm assuming it was taken before the Beijing Paralympics. Unfortunately we didn't get the gold there (we won the bronze) but fingers crossed the Gliders get the gold in London!
In other news: my house didn't lose power and nothing has blown away. Taj was a bit wet and shaken when we got home. We are still expecting a few more storms in Perth so hopefully there will be no more damage during those ones. On Sunday, my husband and I had to do a lot of driving around the Fremantle to Canningvale area and we saw A LOT of fallen trees and branches on the road. One poor bloke had a branch through his car windscreen.
 |
| Taken from the Bureau of Meteorology website |
Lastly, I made it into the Wheelchair Sports WA Wheelies Mail (both my names did!)! Thank you for your support guys :)
Flash and Thunder are currently at the $500 mark for raising money for Wheelchair Sports WA. Any support would be greatly appreciated! 100% tax deductible donations can be done HERE. And you can read their training blog HERE. I can hear my husband tapping away on his laptop, so expect a new training blog soon! September is approaching!
 |
| Photo by Emily Dimozantos - Life in Motion |
My uni lecturer would have hated the lack of "flow" in today's post. I jumped from one topic to another quite dramatically - but meh - this doesn't count towards my degree :) Speaking of which: one more semester to go!!
- 79 days to go til London Paralympics!
07 June 2012
WNWBL and Gliders in Perth
The weekend starting Friday the 1st of June 2012 saw my state women's wheelchair basketball team host the next round of WNWBL. The stadium was decorated with pink streamers and posters and the Western Stars had organised a pretty sweet box of pink goodies to raffle over the weekend. I was ready to go with my pink and black shatter OPI nail polish!
The first game against the Sydney Uni Flames started late due to the Flames being late to the stadium. Which is actually a bit lucky because I myself was running a bit late (at least late in terms of when the coach wanted me to be there) because I was having a few adventures in Welshpool and Cannington with my brother in law that took longer than expected (he got his Learner's permit!).
The Stars started off a bit slow but we sorted our stuff out and won the game with ease. Everyone on my team got on the scoreboard which is a great effort. We won 57 to 42. I personally got 8 points which is actually an amount I am pleased with. As a "low pointer" our main role isn't shooting and because the Western Stars don't have someone suited to carrying the ball, I have stepped up to be in that role. It is a challenge because a ball carrier has to be agile while protecting the ball at the same time, and part of my disability includes having very little balance. Therefore when I'm knocked I will "flop" to the side. So carrying the ball around defence as a "low pointer" is actually very hard to do. I rely on my team mates to make space and become passing options. I much prefer to be able to pass the ball up the court rather than weave around defence while dribbling the ball.
On a side note: a great video to watch has recently been released by the Australian Paralympic Committee. Dylan Alcott is a "low pointer" for the Australian Men's team (the Rollers).
Getting back to the WNWBL - on Saturday we played against the Queensland Comets who are a good pressing team. We managed to get through their defences and we beat them 45 to 31. I didn't get on the score board this game but I also only attempted twice. I didn't even get that many assists but my fellow "low pointers" know that this is because the "high pointers" want more rebounding stats so they miss their first shot attempt and then make their next one. My sister in law (able bodied women are allowed to play in the WNWBL bur we are only allowed on on court) top scored for the game with 19 points - a fantastic job!
Our last game was against the Dandenong Rangers who we haven't been able to beat yet. It was a very close game and we were even in the lead a few times during the game! Unfortunately we didn't get the win but the score was only 44 to 49. The coach getting a tech foul for talking on the sideline and LDT hitting 2/2 FT afterwards didn't help.So if that didn't happen and either myself or one of the other stars hit 2 more shots then we could have won!
I shared this Lorna Jane photo on my facebook wall after the game for my team mates:
The game against the Rangers was a massive progress from our last game against them. Fingers crossed we will get to play them in the grand final and we will have yet another progress. A winning progress!
That night I couldn't curl up on the couch and just watch tv. I had an exam to study for (monday was a public holiday but the uni was still open). I had taken my uni text book away with me to Germany and Manchester but no study was done. It is the last thing I wanted to do when I had to concentrate on my National team duties. So yet again I was cramming last minute.
The next morning I managed to write 9 pages in under 2 hours and I am quite happy with the content of those 9 pages as well. Fingers crossed!
Still no rest for the wicked though - I had a Gliders camp to pack for! The 16 squad members stayed on in Perth to be part of the 3 day camp held at Herb Graham Rec Centre, Mirrabooka (the same venue where the Stars train and where we held the WNWBL round). I packed up my car with the clothes our team manager told me to pack (plus some) as well as what my husband described as "half the pantry". It wasn't really half the pantry. Just what I needed in order to make the Gliders cup cakes while at the Clarion Suites in Mullaloo.
WSWA opened the stadium so we could train in the evening on Monday. We then had dinner at Hilary's Boat Harbour. The next day we had two training sessions and the following day we had our final training session. Wednesday afternoon (after helping my fellow Gliders to the airport) I was able to just RELAX! It was a stressful Gliders camp for all (staff included) - but more about that on a different day!
- 83 days til the London Paralympics!
The first game against the Sydney Uni Flames started late due to the Flames being late to the stadium. Which is actually a bit lucky because I myself was running a bit late (at least late in terms of when the coach wanted me to be there) because I was having a few adventures in Welshpool and Cannington with my brother in law that took longer than expected (he got his Learner's permit!).
The Stars started off a bit slow but we sorted our stuff out and won the game with ease. Everyone on my team got on the scoreboard which is a great effort. We won 57 to 42. I personally got 8 points which is actually an amount I am pleased with. As a "low pointer" our main role isn't shooting and because the Western Stars don't have someone suited to carrying the ball, I have stepped up to be in that role. It is a challenge because a ball carrier has to be agile while protecting the ball at the same time, and part of my disability includes having very little balance. Therefore when I'm knocked I will "flop" to the side. So carrying the ball around defence as a "low pointer" is actually very hard to do. I rely on my team mates to make space and become passing options. I much prefer to be able to pass the ball up the court rather than weave around defence while dribbling the ball. |
| Photos by Emily Dimozantos (this one and the other one above right) |
Getting back to the WNWBL - on Saturday we played against the Queensland Comets who are a good pressing team. We managed to get through their defences and we beat them 45 to 31. I didn't get on the score board this game but I also only attempted twice. I didn't even get that many assists but my fellow "low pointers" know that this is because the "high pointers" want more rebounding stats so they miss their first shot attempt and then make their next one. My sister in law (able bodied women are allowed to play in the WNWBL bur we are only allowed on on court) top scored for the game with 19 points - a fantastic job!
Our last game was against the Dandenong Rangers who we haven't been able to beat yet. It was a very close game and we were even in the lead a few times during the game! Unfortunately we didn't get the win but the score was only 44 to 49. The coach getting a tech foul for talking on the sideline and LDT hitting 2/2 FT afterwards didn't help.So if that didn't happen and either myself or one of the other stars hit 2 more shots then we could have won!
I would like to quickly take this opportunity to thank Matt Norris and his wonderful team at RAM Wheelchairs for making such an awesome basketball wheelchair. The extra hours put into it has made it the best sports chair I've ever had. It is currently in its raw titanium form - but watch this space for when it is painted and has its pimped up Green and Yellow spoked Spinergy's.
That night I couldn't curl up on the couch and just watch tv. I had an exam to study for (monday was a public holiday but the uni was still open). I had taken my uni text book away with me to Germany and Manchester but no study was done. It is the last thing I wanted to do when I had to concentrate on my National team duties. So yet again I was cramming last minute.
The next morning I managed to write 9 pages in under 2 hours and I am quite happy with the content of those 9 pages as well. Fingers crossed!
Still no rest for the wicked though - I had a Gliders camp to pack for! The 16 squad members stayed on in Perth to be part of the 3 day camp held at Herb Graham Rec Centre, Mirrabooka (the same venue where the Stars train and where we held the WNWBL round). I packed up my car with the clothes our team manager told me to pack (plus some) as well as what my husband described as "half the pantry". It wasn't really half the pantry. Just what I needed in order to make the Gliders cup cakes while at the Clarion Suites in Mullaloo.
WSWA opened the stadium so we could train in the evening on Monday. We then had dinner at Hilary's Boat Harbour. The next day we had two training sessions and the following day we had our final training session. Wednesday afternoon (after helping my fellow Gliders to the airport) I was able to just RELAX! It was a stressful Gliders camp for all (staff included) - but more about that on a different day!
- 83 days til the London Paralympics!
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