Cooma basketballers take on Masters Games

What’s more than 700 years old (collectively), super enthusiastic and representing Cooma at the Australian Masters Games (AMG) this week? The Cooma Walking Basketball side. Members of the Cooma Walking Basketball group are taking on the rest of Australia at the AMG in Canberra this Wednesday, 22 October, playing against teams from Canberra and interstate. For the masters, players have to be more than 50 years old. About half of Cooma’s team exceed this by about 20 years or more. The oldest team member is in her eighties. Mary Obermaier first played in Canberra in 1963, when she was a member of the Canberra Capitals. Mary has played walking basketball for the last few years and is the team’s secret weapon. The Cooma 'Walk, Don’t Run'(WDR) squad has received generous sponsorship from local businesses and organisations, they look the part and are ready to rumble. Walking basketball is a relatively new sport which came to Cooma about six years ago, when Betty 'Basketball' Longhurst embarked on a quest to give former basketballers another opportunity to enjoy the sport they had played, in some instances, for decades. The aim is to allow basketballers to continue to enjoy the sport without the challenge of having to sprint, jump, etc, which are hallmarks of the game. Walking basketball is what it says - it’s basketball played at a walking pace, which allows some of the older retirees the opportunity to continue to exercise, throw some basketballs around and socialise with like-minded people. It’s also a lot of fun. Cooma’s WDR includes players who have spent more than 60 years on the court as well as those who have never played until joining the walking basketball group a couple of years ago. For the AMG, the squad will be playing in a mixed competition, which is new for the Cooma squad. Walking basketball wouldn’t have happened in Cooma if It wasn’t for Betty Longhurst, who start playing basketball when she was 13 in 1961. International Rules, as basketball was known then, wasn’t a school sport, but Cooma had a competition which Betty found herself playing in. In the years since, Betty has played, coached, fostered the junior competition, and watched generations of players go through the Cooma ranks. Former team mate and walking basketball supporter, Amelia Sandner, has also been playing since she was a teenager. She loves being able play walking basketball which she says is good for her mental health and keeping her moving. Milly is looking forward to Wednesday’s games. Another veteran, Gail Eastaway, has taken to walking basketball to keep active and defy the restrictions crook knees and other sport-induced injuries have placed on her. A 60-plus year veteran, she is looking forward to the competition and the camaraderie such competition brings. One of the players new to walking basketball or basketball is Ruby Curtis, who, after being a swimmer, cyclist and gym junkie wanted to try something new. Ruby is one of the squads 'talls' and has mastered a sound long shot. As the AMG is a mixed competition, the group asked men to be involved. Former Cooma Basketball Association president, Dave Pevere, was first to apply and is keen to hit the court on Wednesday. As the sole male, Dave will have a busy day. Another of the team’s 'talls' Leanne Wiggins, played baseball in her 20s, then had a break until joining the walking basketball when it started. She loves playing walking basketball and says it has helped her physically, socially and mentally after a severe car accident. Leanne is super strong under the basket. Teacher Judy Williams plays representative hockey, but she is also an integral member of WDR. Judy has a deadly outside shot which amazes the rest of her team with about a 95 percent accuracy. Judy has also been vital to the admin in setting up the WDR entry. Another 'tall' Elly Szkobel formerly played basketball with both Betty and Milly. She has recently returned to the court and uses her height and determination to best advantage. Elly enjoys the exercise and social interaction. Leanne Schofield has been part of the walking basketball group for several years. She is an accurate shot from near the free throw line, but is also known as a stealer, which will be important come Wednesday. The WDR squad is grateful to the sponsors who have contributed to the competition fees and kit for the squad. These include Cooma Basketball Association, Brian Geach Electrical, Jason Kelly’s Shark Events, Monaro Media Group, Cooma Monaro Race Club and Mainstreet Clothing. The team plays all its game at the Belconnen basketball centre, starting at 9am on Wednesday October 22. ACT Basketball, which is co-ordinating the basketball matches, is not charging entry fees so spectators are welcome.

Cooma basketballers take on Masters Games

Torrential rain causes flash flooding at Berridale

Off with Peter's mullet

Cooma Salvos spreading Christmas cheer

Community spirit from young Cooma scouts

Monaro farming photographs a hit

Rufous Whistler – arrival of a summer songbird

Bombers go back-to-back in A grade

“No stone unturned” – Police committed to the long-haul in manhunt

Start your engines, Wilby Drags are back

Most popular stories