GEMS OF ADVICE
Games memories linger as national squad returns to Coast
A YEAR on from the Commonwealth Games and the Australian Opals have returned to the very place where they became immortalised in the history books.
After taking Games gold last year, the national basketball squad has hosted a training camp on the Gold Coast ahead of an action-packed 12 months which includes the FIBA Asia Cup and 2020 Olympic qualifiers.
“It’s crazy to think that it was a year ago,” said Opals star Tessa Lavey. “The Gold Coast has been wonderful to us as a group and we’re happy to be back.”
Lavey, 26, was part of the Opals side that destroyed England 99-55 in the final, with the point guard contributing five points of her own.
“I still look back on the games with a smile and we’re really proud of our group and what we achieved here,” she said. “We did it on home soil and I’d love to go back and experience it all again.”
While on the Coast, the Opals caught the Suns’ thrilling last-gasp AFL win over Carlton at Metricon Stadium and have rubbed shoulders with some Gold Coast talent.
On Sunday the Opals invited Gold Coast Basketball’s under-16 girls to take part in a training session after the side recently returned with a gold medal from the state championships.
“They were really excited,” Lavey said.
“They just won at the states so for them to have the opportunity to come along and watch us was awesome.
“We got to inspire them and show how we train but also, anyone can be Opals and we come from around Australia.”
The Opals have two sessions left on the Coast before returning home tomorrow.
“We’ve been learning a lot for the past few days so hopefully we can show the coaches what we’ve learnt and the bonds we’ve developed,” Lavey said.