Traralgon Secondary College student Danni Pearce has been named as an emergency in the under 17 Australian women’s basketball squad.
Pearce, who aims to play basketball professionally, attended a development camp in Canberra on the weekend of 17 March.
On the Sunday afternoon she was told the good news.
“I was so excited to be selected,” she said.
Last year, Pearce represented Victoria in the under 16 national championships where she “played pretty well” and based on her performance there, was named as an emergency for the Australian under 16 squad.
Although Australia will play in China next month, Pearce will not travel with the team unless a selected player cannot go.
But if she does not make it to China, Pearce will have plenty to keep her occupied here in Australia.
Earlier this year she was selected for Basketball Australia’s elite National Performance Program, which requires her to complete two dedicated training sessions per week as well as attend training camps and competitions around Australia.
Locally, Pearce plays for Latrobe City Energy.
“I started when I was about eight years old,” she said.
“Mum was really good at basketball and she brought our whole family up playing it.
“I really enjoy the environment, it’s good to be around, a great atmosphere and I love meeting new girls.”
Every bit the sportswoman, Pearce also plays netball for Traralgon Tyers United and said sport was what she loved.
“At school I like physical education and sport – that’s about it really,” she said.
In what spare time she has, Pearce enjoys hanging out with her friends doing “the usual stuff”, she said.
Over the next two years Pearce said she would look into obtaining a sports scholarship to an American college.
However, if she does not manage to play professional basketball she would “probably think about being a police officer”.
