A WNBL and an AFLW star have been brought together in locked down Ballarat through a fateful series of events and now they are determined to help each other realise their sporting dreams.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Alicia Froling and Jasmine Simmons had crossed paths a few times in the past, most notably winning gold on the same team at the university games in Italy two years ago.
After Simmons was a mid-season signing with the Ballarat Rush, the pair moved in together, and now they are helping each other get through lockdown as they prepare for their respective summer seasons.
Froling has recently signed with the Canberra Capitals in the WNBL, while Simmons is on the Adelaide Crows list in the AFLW.
Fortunately, there's no odd-couple situation with both able to live with each other without drama.
"Basketball is a small world, I've known Jaz a bit over the time and going through the AIS," Froling said. "It's been interesting. Our heater hasn't been turned off once, fortunately we're both pretty neat."
The pair have been working through their respective plans, going for runs together, doing some weight work when they can, shooting a few hoops whenever they can get access to an outdoor court "and plenty of Mario Kart".
"We've got to do what we do, there's just a little bit of everything we need to do. Weather permitting we hope to be able to get out when we can," Froling said.
For Simmons, who hails from Broken Hill and the same football club as Adelaide star Taylor Walker, adjusting to a lockdown in Ballarat has come with a few challenges.
"I've loved every second of being in Ballarat so far, but no-one really warned me it would be near snowing every day," she joked. "Now Farmer Wants A Wife has finished, it might get a bit tougher, I think the Olympics is going to get a big run now."
Rookied by the Crows in June, Simmons said she was over-the-moon to get an AFLW chance.
"When I was growing up I was playing footy just with the boys and it was just a kick-to-kick sort of thing because there wasn't a women's comp.
"Now it's so great there are opportunities for girls to play footy, you just never know what will happen these days."
The pair hope the Ballarat Rush will be able to get back on court soon, but understand indoor sports are treated differently to outdoor sports.
"Really we just want to be able to get on the court, even if it's just to train," Froling said.
"Last time it took a couple of weeks before we were allowed to play a game, so we'll just do what we're told and play when we can."
Simmons agreed saying there were pros and cons to the lockdown.
"You have to have a lot of self motivation to stay in shape, but when you're not with a team it's pretty hard," she said.
"You want to see teammates and you're not building that on-court fitness when you're not out there on a regular basis.