Vanessa Michael. Photo: Jon Hewson. d473216 communitypix.com.au.
Camera IconVanessa Michael. Photo: Jon Hewson. d473216 communitypix.com.au. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Cockburn Cougars basketballer to represent Aboriginal culture at Four Nations Cup

Jessica NicoCockburn Gazette

VANESSA Michael will be drawing on experience and self-determination when she pulls on the Australian Indigenous Basketball jersey for the second time in her career.

The Cockburn Cougars basketballer and Parmelia resident was one of just three WA women selected in Australia’s Four Nations Cup team, a competition between Indigenous teams from Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Hawaii.

Michael, the daughter of South Fremantle Football Club great Stephen Michael, said 2017 was her first stint with the Australian Indigenous team as part of the World Indigenous Basketball Challenge and that she was looking to draw on that experience for the upcoming competition.

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“We came away with the bronze in the World Indigenous Basketball Challenge,” she said.

“The team that we have going into the tournament is aiming very high, we want to come home with the gold.”

She said she was honoured she had the opportunity to acknowledge her culture and heritage in this way.

“It is very important and even an honour to be given an opportunity to represent my culture in such a high level of sport,” she said.

“To be able to share our culture and heritage with other countries is just an amazing feeling.

“For me, as a partner and mum of two, I am very lucky to have the support that I do from my family.

“I want to show our younger generations that just because you start a family it doesn’t mean that you have to give up on your goals and dreams.

“No matter what I think you should always back yourself as you never know what might happen.”

The Four Nations Cup will be held in New Zealand from March 25 to 30.