By ADEM SARICAOGLU
MADDISON Rocci is excited about representing Vic Metro for the very first time early next month.
The gun 15-year-old Werribee basketballer is headed for Adelaide as one of 10 girls who will be defending Vic Metro’s title at the Under-16 Australian Junior Championships.
Rocci, one of five children in a big sporting family, recently had to put her netballing exploits on hold to commit to her training schedule for Vic Metro, but has not quite chosen to solely focus on her basketball just yet.
“I used to play basketball on Fridays and then play netball on Saturdays,” Rocci explained. “But I had to stop netball (this) season – because it clashed too much with state training on Saturdays.”
Rocci’s sporting pedigree runs deep, with parents Marco and Maryanne heavily involved in numerous sports and 12-year-old brother Lucas showing plenty of promise in basketball and football.
However it’s the influence of 19-year-old brother and Werribee Devils State Championship Big V player, Kristian, that’s had a significant impact on Rocci’s rise through the basketball ranks.
“I’ve watched Kristian play and I’ve always liked basketball,” she said. “I joined a domestic club but then I got into rep basketball and played under Paul Jones (current Devils senior men’s coach), and they taught me lots of things.”
Though yet to taste any of the action in the big time and still committed to pursuing her netball in conjunction with basketball, Rocci dreams of one day wearing green and gold as an Opal at the Olympic Games.
But Rocci knows more than anyone just how much hard work is ahead of her before realising such dreams.
And it all starts with her upcoming Vic Metro campaign.
“To represent my club as well while playing for Victoria and just do what I can on the court – I hope I can do my best,” Rocci said.
“It will be a good experience.”
Rocci’s good friend and fellow Werribee resident Najvada George was also picked for the week-long championships, which will kick off on 6 July.
