BALLARAT holds the key to Warrnambool teenager Tanna Blackney-Noter’s sporting fortunes this year.
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The soon-to-be St Patrick’s College student will represent Vic Country at the Australian Junior Basketball Championships in the goldfields town in April, alongside fellow Warrnambool talent Oliver Bidmade.
Tanna, 16, is also pushing to further his football career and is in the midst of a pre-season with TAC Cup club North Ballarat Rebels.
He knows he will juggle a jam-packed schedule but is eager to test his luck — on the court and on the field.
“At the moment I just want to play both sports as long as I can,” Tanna said.
Basketball Country Victoria announced its 10-strong squad yesterday.
Tanna and Oliver were selected after standout performances at the Australian Junior Country Cup in Albury last week.
The Warrnambool Seahawks’ under 18 representative squad teammates have differing levels of experience on the national stage.
Tanna will represent Vic Country for the first time, while Oliver tasted top-level age competition in 2013 at under 16 level.
Tanna said he was excited about the prospect of playing on some of the country’s best players.
The 185cm teenager expects to play a burst role off the bench, using his defensively-minded attitude to make an impact.
“It is really good to see the hard work has paid off,” Tanna said of his selection.
“I am really happy and chuffed about it.”
Tanna spent the summer playing for Country Basketball League side Portland Coasters under his father Rebel Noter.
The pair will team up again at nationals, with Noter named Vic Country assistant coach.
“I think we have a pretty good relationship,” Tanna said. “It works all right. He’s probably a bit harder (on me) but that’s a good thing.”
Tanna underwent a series of physical tests for North Ballarat Rebels yesterday.
The former Hawks junior hopes to play in practice matches in February — a month in which his state basketball training commitments swell — as the Rebels prepare to finalise their 2015 list.
He is quietly confident of making the cut as a bottom-age player.
“You never know but I will try my best and see what happens,” Tanna said. “I’d like to think I am in with a shot.”
Oliver, 16, said he was thrilled to make Vic Country’s final roster after he was named an under 18 emergency in 2014.
“I’d like to come away with a gold medal,” he said.
The Emmanuel College student, who stands 201cm, said there were “a lot of fresh faces” in the squad, including Tanna.
Oliver said Tanna would bring “versatility and hard defence” to the Vic Country line-up.
“It is good to see Warrnambool are represented well there,” he said.
Oliver tried out for Warrnambool Seahawks’ new Big V under 23 youth league roster, which is yet to be announced, earlier this month.
“Instead of finishing juniors and going straight to Big V (division one) or quitting, as a lot of kids do, it keeps kids motivated to keep going,” he said of the new program.
