MATURE HEADS LEAD GAMES BOXING ASSAULT
KAYE Scott has no qualms about the sense of maturity she gets around her youthful Australian boxing teammates for the Commonwealth Games.
After captaining the squad at Glasgow 2014, the 33-year-old is the only boxer to represent Australia on the Gold Coast next year with Games experience.
All 13 boxers who won at last month’s Australian trials had their spots confirmed yesterday, with Scott, contesting the 69kg division, and Rio Olympian Jason Whateley in the 91kg the most proven of them.
Seven of the team are younger than 22, with Taylah Robertson the youngest at 19. “I’m the old one,” Scott said. “I’m kind of like the mumma hen who looks after the girls and everyone in the team.
“Yeah, I take on a bit of that role. I’m a bit of a natural and have those qualities anyway, so I’m happy to help lend a hand to anyone else who wants me for advice.”
Also selected are Gold Coast’s world championship bronze medallist Skye Nicolson in the 57kg division, former Men: Jack Bowen (56kg), Harry Garside (60kg), Liam Wilson (64kg), Terry Nickolas (69kg), Campbell Somerville (75kg), Clay Waterman (81kg), Jason Whateley (91kg), Toese Vousiutu (super heavyweight) Women: Taylah Robertson (51kg), Skye Nicolson (57kg), Anja Stridsman (60kg), Kaye Scott (69kg), Caitlin Parker (75kg).
junior world champion Clay Waterman and Youth Olympic Games bronze medallist Caitlin Parker.
Rio Olympian and Glasgow champion Shelley Watts, who failed to make weight in qualifying, and Glasgow silver medalist Joe Goodall, who was upset by super heavyweight selectee Toese Vousiutu, are missing.
In the pair’s absence, Scott has taken responsibility of leading the Australian medal hunt given she’s more mentally prepared for competition than four years ago.
“I feel totally different in my own mindset going into it,” she said.
“With that hometown advantage, I know 100 per cent I can bring back a medal.”