Mudgee basketball star Jordan Woolmer believes the young Australia side are ready to grow together as they prepare to take on the world at the World Deaf Basketball Championships in Taiwan in July
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Woolmer said the road to the finals is a tough one for the Aussie side but said they were looking at the big picture in terms of developing the talent they have.
“We’ve been pooled already so it’s going to be pretty tough against Greece, Poland the USA - they’re pretty big and fast,” he said.
“As a team our average age is probably about 21-22 so we’re a young side but we’ve got a really good coach and he teaches us a lot.
“We’ve got a bit of a five-year plan so hopefully we can stay together and finish top eight at the World Championships then go to Taiwan again for the Asia Pacific Games and that will act as a qualifier for the 2017 Deaflympics.”
The only downside to the incredible experience of representing Australia is the fact there is no government or sports association funding available.
The players and coaches have to pay for the trip, with each and everyone having to pay in excess of $5000 in order to travel to train in the lead up to the Championships and then to take part in the competition itself.
A Go Fund Me page has been set up in order to help the players achieve their dream and wear the green and gold with the team also raising money via an auction recently in Melbourne.
Woolmer said every little bit of help means a lot and took some time to thank those who have supported him.
“The Rams team is supportive because I have to travel from Mudgee so I miss some sessions and sometime I’ve been training with the deaf team so they’ve been supporting me and we’ll try and raise some more money this weekend,” he said.
“Thanks to all those who’ve helped me too, my work in Mudgee is pretty supportive as well and that really helps.”
Woolmer is looking to play not only in the World Championships in July but also the Asia Pacific Deaf Games which is also held in Taiwan in October.
“I started fundraising at the start of the year and the combined cost of both trips has come to around $10,000,” Woolmer said.
“So that’s including the flight to and from Melbourne as often as I can to get myself ready.
“The response around Mudgee has been really good. I have a Go Fund Me page which people have been donating to and as a team we’ve raised about $1000 from that.
“And I just got back from Melbourne on the weekend where we had an auction and raised about $10,000.”
Woolmer thanked the many Mudgee businesses who have so far reached into their pockets to help him represent the region as well as Australia.
People interested in helping Woolmer travel to represent Australia can do so via www.gofundme.com/tp5v7k/