Shooting high hoops
Glen Waverley Year 12 student, Alanna Smith, has celebrated a gold medal win with the Victorian Under 20 Women’s Basketball Team, at the National Championship in Perth. Alanna has been playing basketball since she was six years old, and is currently a development player with the Melbourne Boomers WNBL team, as well as dedicated player for the Nunawading Spectres SEABL team, and Wesley Firsts Basketball team.
In order to prepare for her high intensity games, Alanna trains for upwards of 12 hours a week, focusing on skill work, team building, fitness training and strength and conditioning.
Alanna loves the team environment most, and thinks her family involvement with the sport has really fuelled her passion for the sport. Alanna grew up watching her father and aunt play at a national level, and her uncle captained the Australian Olympic Basketball team.
The 17 year old considers her greatest sporting achievement to be her selection for the Under 17 Australian Women’s Basketball Team, where she competed in the Women’s World championship. She is also excited to be involved with the Under 19 Australian Squad this year.
It’s clear that competing at an international level has inspired Alanna, who says she “hopes to be recruited for a scholarship at an American College in 2015”.
Wesley College congratulates Alanna on her latest achievement, and wishes her the best of luck for the year ahead.
