SEVEN Illawarra basketballers will have the opportunity of a lifetime when they represent Australia at the 2013 Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games.
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Dane Pritchard (Balgownie), Shane Monks (Shellharbour), Timothy Walsh (Gwynneville), Neb Stanojlovic (Warilla), Grant Francis (Kiama), Tahlia Henson (Kiama) and West McKinnon (Berkeley), travel to Newcastle for the Games tomorrow.
The December 1-7 event brings together 32 nations competing in basketball, athletics, aquatics, badminton, bocce, cricket, football and tenpin bowling. More than 2500 athletes and their carers, 6000 officials, 4000 volunteers and more than 200,000 spectators will take part.
Special Olympics Illawarra vice-chairwoman Amanda Koloski said to have seven players selected to play basketball for Australia was a huge achievement.
Ms Koloski's sister, Lisa Keen, has been selected as an athletes' ambassador for the Games.
Keen has represented Australia twice in Special Olympics but is unable to play this time after having major brain surgery for Tourette's syndrome.
"She'll meet and greet athletes arriving at the airport and she'll also say a speech at the opening ceremony ... it's huge for her," Ms Koloski said.
Players train on Fridays at the Snakepit and more recently at Berkeley, coached by Rudi Kolednik and Leanne Secombe.
They will be graded into different national grade teams at the Games.
Shane Monk, 23, said it wasspecial to be selected.
"It makes me proud. I want to win gold," he said.
West McKinnon and Tim Walsh had played with the Jammers since they were eight and nine, and were thrilled, excited and proud to represent Australia. For Grant Francis, who got into the sport four years ago, it was the realisation of a dream.
"They've been training extremely hard for this - to represent your country in your country is a big thing," Ms Koloski said.
"You talk to them and the tears flow just to mention it."
The Games cost $3000 per athlete so the players' families and supporters, led by co-ordinator Richard Keen, have been raising funds.
Ms Koloski said while bringing home gold medals would be nice, the main thing was for the players to have a good time.