Ella Sabljak has just returned from Canada with a silver medal. 66876 Picture: SARAH MATRAY
By Liam Twomey
ELLA Sabljak has just returned from doing Australia proud at the under-25 women’s wheelchair basketball world championships.
The 19-year-old played a vital role in her team bringing home a silver medal. She was overjoyed with the way her team played, and with her own performance.
“It was an awesome experience, the team was awesome. The culture was great and we all pulled each other through. To come home with a silver medal was great,” Sabljak said.
“It was really good to be in such a supportive team. Even off the court there were always high fives.
“I was really blown away by my own effort. I think I really shocked a lot of the coaches and they were really pleased with me.”
The tournament, in Canada, marked the first time Sabljak had played overseas. It was also her first time representing her country.
Most people would be nervous in that situation but the Werribee resident was able to keep a cool head.
“I think I was really calm, I was a little nervous but I wasn’t freaking out or anything,” Sabljak said.
“It’s an awesome feeling. I don’t think it has fully sunk in yet but it’s such a great feeling when you win a silver medal.”
The Australian team progressed through the initial pool stages of the competition by defeating Mexico and Great Britain before dropping a game to the United States.
They then progressed to the semi-finals in which they accounted for host nation Canada 60-47.
The gold medal match saw the team once again have to come up against a very strong United States, which proved to be too good, winning 66-39.
Sabljak, is already planning her next moves in wheelchair basketball.
“The next goal for me will be to make the paralympic team,” she said.
“Next year’s team has already been selected but 2016 is definitively on the agenda.
“I’d also love to make the Gliders squad (national squad) and represent Australia in a few more tournaments here and there.”
In her spare time between training all over Victoria, studying at university and competing, Sabljak also helps train the Werribee Roller Devils basketball club.
The club was established this year to cater for players who want to become involved in wheelchair basketball in the western suburbs.
The club recently held an exhibition match, which proved a big success with fans.
