Former Stawell resident Taya Chisholm has been named to represent Country Victoria in basketball.
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Announced as part of the Victorian Country under-16 squad for the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup and a member of the State Development Program Country squad, Chisholm carries on her success from last season.
The 14-year-old Ballarat High School student was named as an emergency in the 2018-19 squad.
Chisholm can do some form of training up to three times a day for basketball, something she manages with her school work.
"I play three games of basketball a week," she said.
"I also do about eight or nine training a week.
"I manage my work load by making sure I get enough sleep. I don't have much homework but if I do I get it over and done with straight away after school as basketball doesn't start until 4.30pm onward."
Chisholm stands at six-feet tall and plays as a tall on the post but is making an effort to keep herself versatile on the court.
"My coaches have been moving me out to a three or a four which is typically a position for a smaller defender," she said.
"I've also been shooting from the outside and not always playing inside at the centre.
"I got special permission to play in the A Grade women's competition in Ballarat so I can really focus on my ball handling skills - an opportunity I can sometimes miss out on because of my height."
Chisholm said she was surprised when she received notification she was successful in making the squad.
"It was my goal during the year to make the team and I've relieved that I got in," she said.
"I hope I can play well for my team and put in a really good performance with the vision to be considered for the state team."
The Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup will be hosted at the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre, Albury from January 11-18, 2020.
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