Young sport idol inspires

WEST Creek’s Grace McRae is a superstar out on the court.
Whether she’s playing basketball or netball, or even refereeing McRae is known for her talent and sportsmanship.
She has been playing basketball since she was seven years old.
Now at 14, McRae has played in a number of Victorian Junior Basketball League teams – representing Korumburra and Latrobe – and most recently played at a national level for the Wonthaggi Coasters.
The Coasters came 18th at nationals, but took the state title.
“I like playing basketball because of my teammates. I like the people who are around me,” she said.
“For me, basketball is like a getaway from everything else that might be happening. I enjoy the game.”
When she’s on the netball court, McRae plays for Dalyston Football Netball Club.
After winning the premiership in U/13s last year, McRae stepped up and played for the U/17s side, as well as benching for A Grade.
In her U/13s team, she won best in finals and the Alberton League best and fairest. This year, she was club best and fairest for the U/17s.
McRae said she was motivated by her family to play netball for Dalyston, and she has enjoyed the experience.
McRae has also represented her school – Wonthaggi Secondary College – playing netball at state level.
“My school team won state twice – in Year 7 and Year 8. It’s the first time that’s happened at our school,” she said.
McRae has also tried her hand at referring and coaching. She coaches the U/10 rep team for Wonthaggi and assists with the U/10 B girls’ side.
She has undertaken a coaching course, which is offered by Country Victoria and aimed to improve the skills of coaches and referees.
At the moment, she referees for the U/12 boys, U/14 boys, U/16 boys and A men domestically, but she had a chance to referee the U/12 girls in Echuca Basketball Victoria Country Jamboree.
“I was invited to the jamboree after I umpired a domestic grand final,” she said.
“I was in a green shirt then and after the jamboree I earned my stripes.”
The green shirt means an umpire is in training. The striped shirt will show McRae’s qualifications.
The jamboree is all about development, and it was an opportunity for coaches and referees to improve with the help of experienced mentors over four days.
“It was awesome. I like umpiring because it’s a lot different from being a player and you get to know all the other players in other grades,” McRae said.
“I love watching the young players and there is a social side to it all. I am friends with a lot of parents and players through umpiring.”
McRae has umpired a number of netball games for Dalyston as well.
For other young people looking to excel in their sport, McRae encouraged them not to give up.
“If you love what you do, go for it. Put in the hard work and don’t let anyone hold you back,” she said.

Young star: West Creek’s Grace McRae excels in basketball and netball, and has recently put in a lot of hard work to start coaching and refereeing.

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Posted by Sarah Vella on Oct 25 2016. Filed under Sport. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry