Dandenong Rangers player Rachel Jarry, 15, has been selected in the under 18 Victorian basketball team. By Mark Murray
DANDENONG Rangers basketballer Rachel Jarry has been selected in the Victorian under 18 team – at just 15 years of age.
Jarry is no stranger to representative honours, but will be the youngest player in the Victorian side for the Australian Championships in Launceston in July.
She has also been away at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra for the national development camp.
Jarry was one of only five players in the state to be sent to Canberra in March.
The 186-centimetre point-scorer is currently playing for the Dandenong Rangers’ under 18 side after crossing from her previous club Altona Gaters.
After representing the Victorian under 16 side at the titles last year, it was always Jarry’s aim to break into the higher age bracket this year.
“She is pretty happy and it’s a good opportunity for her,” Jarry’s mother Nicole said.
“Being a bottom-aged player is a bit of a bonus and she will get a lot out of it.
“She trains on Saturday and Sunday afternoons with the state side and is always playing and just loves her basketball.”
Jarry also coaches a junior domestic team at Altona, but switched to the Rangers this year to give herself more opportunity.
“She has played for Altona Gaters her whole life, who she loves, but moved to Dandenong Rangers this season,” Nicole said.
“It was just a move that could benefit her.
“She is loving it and the opportunity to play a higher division can only be good for her.”
Last year Jarry was part of the Victorian side that secured back-to-back national titles.
The Vics won a thriller over New South Wales in the final, with Jarry playing a leading role in the decider.
She scored 10 points and dragged in five rebounds to help her side to a five-point win over the Blues.
Jarry also impressed in the semi-final against South Australia with 18 rebounds.
If she can emulate those displays in July, she is likely to be earmarked as a possible Australian under 19 representative for the International Basketball Federation World Championships in 2009.
