A YOUNG man's dream of playing with the Wollongong Roller Hawks is a step closer thanks to a custom basketball chair from KidzWish and the Greater Building Society as part of the Love and Laughter Appeals Program.
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A delighted Nick Scott received the $4600 custom-made basketball wheelchair by Greater Building Society Shellharbour branch manager Brendan White and KidzWish marketing manager Karouna Michael last Tuesday at the Shellharbour Basketball Stadium.
The wheelchair is the second presented recently, with Frank Dushimiriana receiving his last week.
Eighteen-year-old Scott from Oak Flats has femur fibula ulna syndrome and said this donation allows him to pursue his Roller Hawks and representative dream.
"I really can't believe it - it is so cool and I can't wait to compete in it," Scott said.
KidzWish marketing manager Karouna Michael said Scott was using a rented chair from Wheelchair Sports NSW and still achieving on court, but the lack of a custom chair hindered his progress.
"I think we will see a new side of Nick from here on in - his confidence will go through the roof," Mr Michael said.
Illawarra Wheelchair Basketball's Eino Okkenen said he believed both Dushimiriana and Scott could follow the career path already set by Brendan Dowler, Brett Stibners, Tristan Knowles, Nick Taylor, Shawn Russell, Luke Pople and Michael Auprince.
"The pair have already represented Illawarra for several years in juniors and now aspire to make the state junior team and compete at a national level," Okkenen said.
"They will be attending a state training camp next week and perhaps play for NSW later this year.
"From there they may progress to the national junior team and possibly into the national team."
Greater Building Society's Shellharbour branch manager Brendan White said his organisation was delighted to be able to continue to assist promising young sportspeople achieve their dreams.