|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 21 September 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Sports |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Chantella Perera 'baskets' an American scholarship by CLIFFORD LANDERS from Australia Chantella Perera's outstanding basketball skills displayed during the Australia National under-18 Junior Championships over the past two years here has earned her a five-year scholarship to California State University, USA beginning January 2004. Born to former Sri Lanka national athletic champion parents, Chantella has performed admirably in athletics after emerging All-State under-16 400m and long jump champion in 2001 respectively and finished under-18 long jump runner-up at the Australia Athletic Championships. But the major break came in her most loved sport basketball when picked while representing the Victoria State side in the under-18 Australia National Championships by visiting scouts from USA. She has represented the state side on many occasions and last week was among the thirty selected for the Australian junior squad's special weekend training camp in Echuca. She is strongly tipped to play in the Junior World Cup in 2005 but due to the scholarship her participation is doubtful. Chantella's school - Caufield Grammar which granted her an academic scholarship from year 5 is apart from education very much sport-oriented and has played a major part in her athletic and basketball careers so far. Chantella in addition to State duties, has also 'caged' for 'Nunawading Spectres u-18 side, 'All-Australian Squads' and represented her school's senior team. She told the 'Sunday Observer' that "playing basketball in America will be the highlight of my life. Their style of game is different to Australia, and the game is taken so seriously that I am looking forward to making the most of this rare opportunity and I think it will bring out the best in me." Her two main ambitions are to represent Australia and be drafted into the Australia Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). She said "but prior to that my main goal is to win a premiership for my school because it has been good to me and supported me heaps throughout my basketball career which I began since year 8. I began playing the game at the age of 6 and I believe my natural athleticism was passed on from my parents which give an advantage over other players and my outside shooting as a guard for the state team was also a strongpoint." Hailing from a sport oriented family background, Chantella is the second daughter of former Sri Lanka National 800m record holder and former St. Benedict's Colombo athlete Prasad Perera and 400m women's National Champion and record holder Indrani Perera nee Jayaweera of Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda, Indrani is the sister of popular Sri Lankan community figure in Sydney Jayantha Jayaweera and Sri Lanka Athletics President Sunil Jayaweera. Chantella is a VCE (year 12) student living in the Melbourne suburb of Wantirna South. She said that: "Penny Taylor, former Dandenong Rangers female 'cager' is my idol and I have always looked up to her. I admire the way she made her own mark, proving she was as good as versatile Australian cap Lauren Jackson and not just the second best on court. Chantella's eldest sister Veronica who was born in England and was six years old when moved to Australia, also reached noteworthy standards in athletics emerging Victoria' State Schools 400m Champion at the age 16 but was compelled to 'retire' at 17 due to injury. Now at 27, Veronica is a practising paediatrician and journalist. Chantella who shoots hoops in her backyard when away from training, after completing the VCE studies, would be leaving for California in December in preparation for starting a college degree in her ambitious occupation - physical therapy (physiotherapy). She has encouraged young Sri Lankans and those around the world to participate in personally interested sports while pursuing academic interests. "My advice to them is to persevere in your goals even when things get tough. If one gives up nothing will be achieved," She warned. Chantella who had visited Sri Lanka on three occasions offered to assist basketball in Sri Lanka, if requested. "Although I have not coached before I am more than happy to offer my services and impart my knowledge through my experience which I am confident of gaining while in USA. But, it all depends on my commitments at the time," she concluded. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
