During the past decade Dubbo Basketball Association has had a handful of junior female players reach the heights of playing for NSW Country.
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But the recent achievement of Kiara McKeown and Millie Sutcliffe is something new.
The pair of under 14s Rams stars have been chosen to be part of the upcoming NSW D-League while they will also play for NSW Country in the newly-formed Sand Slam in January of next year.
"We haven't had girls like this since I've been back in Dubbo coaching and that's 11 or 12 years," Dubbo Basketball's Claire Hargreaves said.
"We've had girls play at this high level and it's a huge achievement ... but we've never had two in the same age group. It's a huge thing."
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Hargreaves has worked with the pair closely as they were both a part of the under 12s side she coached to the Western Junior League title last year.
The pair's talent was clear during that run, with Sutcliffe named player of the game when the Rams capped off an unbeaten season in the grand final.
The rise has continued since and now they will head to Sydney for three consecutive weekends from later this month for the D-League.
They will play multiple matches per weekend with and against the state's most exciting young players.
"The D-League is the best four to six teams mixing country and metropolitan kids," Hargreaves said.
"It's a really good opportunity to mix it with the metro kids and also to make some friends because it breaks down that rivalry."
The Sand Slam will follow in the New Year, with the Dubbo duo to play for NSW Country against NSW Metro and ACT.
The event has been created after COVID-19 restrictions forced the cancellation of the annual Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup.
"It's so good for the association and shows young girls they can succeed in the sport. It's really wonderful for the girls," Hargreaves said.
"I personally get so much pride from the kids. I love to see country kids succeed. I was in Wollongong before coming back here and they say they're country but they're not.
"It's great to work with our kids and give them an opportunity and confidence to have a go."
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
