ILL and in obvious pain, Australian Opals superstar Lauren Jackson said it was important to play as much of a role in a Ballarat training camp as she could.
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Jackson attended a City of Ballarat civic reception at the Town Hall yesterday before trekking to Geelong to seek specialist medical attention for a ruptured ear drum and infection.
“Look, it’s a bit of a bummer I can’t train but at least I could be here,” Jackson told The Courier.
“Just to be with the team is a huge deal and I really wish I could be doing more.”
Jackson said her game had been shaping up well after recovery for a chronic hamstring injury, for which she had surgery.
But this camp in Ballarat was more important than just training.
This is the third training camp under the instruction of new Opals coach Brendan Joyce, a Ballarat Miners championship coach, and the final selection trials for the FIBA women’s world championship Oceania qualifier – a two-match series against New Zealand next month.
Competition for spots has been hot while the Opals have maintained the camp was also important to build cohesion.
Jackson said the camp was another chance to understand how Joyce worked leading into a huge, important campaign.
“I’m really happy with the energy of the girls,” Jackson said.
“We’ve got a big couple of games ahead.
“We’ll go out there and give our very best – that’s all we can do.”
The Opals’ civic reception falls on a day when the Women’s National Basketball League released its 2013-14 draw and touted the much-anticipated return of Jackson.
The Canberra Capitals are expected to officially announce the signing of the international star for the next two WNBL seasons next week.
Jackson and her Opals teammates – which included Olympians Jennifer Screen, Belinda Snell, and Laura Hodges, and Ballarat Rush’s Alice Kunek – signed autographs and posed for photos at the reception.
Ballarat Basketball chief executive officer Peter Eddy said the Opals said the team’s generosity with fans had been much appreciated.
Speaking at the reception, Eddy said the Opals were focused on excellence and the trade-off for Ballarat, especially their interaction with young fans after an exhibition match on Thursday night, was fantastic.
Ballarat mayor John Burt officially welcomed the Opals to the city and praised players’ dedication and commitment to be the best and how inspiring that was for everyone in the city.
The Opals will conclude their Ballarat training camp today, with an intra-squad game at the Minerdome from 11.45am.
melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au
