Mikaela Dickson started playing basketball when she was nine-years-old at the Pakenham Stadium. 85363
By BRIDGET SCOTT
BASKETBALL is in the blood for the Dickson family, with 17-year-old Mikaela providing the most success so far.
After sitting on the sidelines and watching her sister Shiona play, Mikaela’s time arrived, and with it came a ton of talent that has taken the keen basketballer further than she ever imagined.
“Not many people get this opportunity,” she said.
Beginning as a nine-year-old at the Pakenham stadium, the Garfield resident was first coached by her father Rodney, who is just as passionate about the sport as his daughter.
From there, Mikaela began to play for the Nunawading Spectres, where her talent was really noticed.
Miakela’s success started when she was selected to play in the Country Victorian team in 2011.
Participation in this side led her to travel all over the country, from Albury, to Ballarat, Seymour and Shepparton.
At the beginning of the year, she was selected to play for the Country Victoria team once again, but this time as an emergency. As 2012 progressed so did Mikaela’s basketball talent and she was selected in the starting side for Country Victoria.
The tournament is taking place this week with teams from across Australia.
A big commitment for someone studying year 12, the basketballer said it’s just started to catch up with her.
“Just lately I’ve been finding it hard to manage,” she said.
Yet it seems nothing is too much for this young athlete, with Mikaela attending the Rowville Sports Academy where she is also completing her certificate three in fitness. The commitment doesn’t just come from Mikaela but her family too, with her parents attending as many of her games as possible.
“Our car is only three years old, but it has already done 216,000km,” her father Rodney said.
Excited about the tournament taking place this week, the 17-year-old said selection for this squad really topped things off.
“Making the Country Vic team was really just the icing on the cake,” she said.
