By DAVID SCHOUT
ALICE Kunek was a fresh-faced 16-year-old when she first pulled on a Dandenong Rangers singlet in 2007.
As a young member of the squad, she was restricted to training, without the chance to express herself on court.
But now, after a two-year apprenticeship at the Australian
Institute of Sport and four years with the Bulleen Boomers, the
22-year-old will return to the Rangers this WNBL season having recently
achieved her life dream.
Kunek was selected in the Australian Opals squad that last week,
fittingly, completed a training camp at her new home court in Dandenong.
Kunken said that when she was with Dandenong in 2007, she never
played. “I just trained. The girls were great and it’s a really great
club to be a part of. So I’m really excited to come back,” she said.
“They just missed the grand final last year so I’m hoping to help them get there this season if I can.”
Kunek said a number of factors contributed to her decision to leave Bulleen, a club which won the 2010-11 WNBL championship.
“I think I just needed a change of scenery. I’d been at Bulleen
for four years and [Opals and Rangers player] Jenna O’Hea is one of my
really good friends so I had the opportunity to play with her.”
Last Tuesday night she played with the Opals against the Rangers SEABL team in a friendly game.
PICTURE GALLERY: Dandenong Rangers v Australian Opals
The game was arranged for fitness and match conditioning for the
Opals and Rangers SEABL coach Paul Flynn was impressed with Kunek’s
output.
Star centre Lauren Jackson was left to autograph duties on the
night while Opals coach Brendan Joyce continues to manage her workload.
The Opals are preparing for two games against New Zealand in
August for the Oceania Championships, the winner of which will book a
spot in the 2014 World Championships in Turkey.
And Kunek will do everything possible to represent her country.
“To get the [squad] call-up was amazing. I was so stoked and something I’ve had as my goal for a really long time.
“I’d really love to play [against the Tall Ferns]. I know I’m a
young kid and there’s some better players in this group. I’m just trying
to learn as much as I can off them and I hope that, if I get my
opportunity, I take it.”
The Dandenong Rangers kick off their 2013-14 WNBL season in October.
– dschout@mmpgroup.com.au
