CANBERRA (FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) - The Australian Sapphires will be gunning for the top of the podium when they step out at the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women (28 June-6 July), although the wider aim is to ensure the most capable players one day find themselves engaged in Opals' action.
Having been drawn in Group C along with Mexico, Japan and the hosts Slovak Republic, Australia will be looking forward to posting a strong first phase under the watchful eye of WNBL play-caller Chris Lucas, who is currently engaged in the WNBL Finals with Townsville Fire.
Standing alongside Lucas will be Sapphires assistant coach Simon Pritchard, who was an assistant at the event in Amsterdam in 2012.
And, he reiterated that the ultimate aim isn't just gold, but very much a twin objective, with the coaching staff eager to prepare the most talented Sapphires players for possible future integration into the senior team.
"The Sapphires always have a goal of winning the gold medal, since we are fiercely competitive," declared Pritchard.
"A great focus for the team has been rebounding. What we also took from USA in Amsterdam and then again in Kazan last year, is the need to elevate our possession game.
"If we are able to do it, then we should be able to be in most contests.
"Spain are really doing a good job of this as well and most countries will probably have some size on us, but not heart!"
He continued: "Coach Lucas has been really focused on developing players that fit the Opals values.
"Brendan Joyce has been involved with this group since his appointment and his Opals' team structure will flow down to the Sapphires and Gems programmes over the next three years.
"It was clear that the U17s is a 'small ball' tournament - Japan and Spain proved that in Amsterdam and we will pick a group of athletes that reflect that style.
"We found the 'bigs' are still learning their craft and a great point guard (for example Olivia Epoupa or Leticia Romero) plus a dominant athletic three or four spot player was the style of play in Amsterdam.
"More than half of our athletes from Amsterdam are now placed in teams within the WNBL.
"This tells us that the athletes we selected were of good quality and will be making an impact at senior level in the very near future, and who knows, possibly even at Rio?
"I know Chris prides himself on developing emerging talent, he has a great eye for the long term.
"Our success will be largely judged in 4-6 years and whether we can transfer these athletes into the Opals," added Pritchard.
With sixteen players initially given the chance to potentially be part of that team that looks to land gold, the coaching team will hold their first camp during coming weeks in Canberra at the Basketball Australia National Centre of Excellence.
They will then be selecting a group to tour China during late April after the U18 Australian Championships have concluded and prior to final selection and preparation.
Pritchard was also keen to highlight how it isn't just about dealing with the rigours of on-court matters for those who want to be involved in Bratislava.
He said: "The athletes will be learning as they travel, so we will be looking to see who the leaders are in China.
"It certainly helped us in our preparation for Amsterdam, it such an arduous tour, nine games in 13 days.
"It will really sort out the players who can cope with being away from home and eating 'different' foods, plus the fatigue factor that comes with travel.
"Notably, Tahlia Tupea made the Gems team which won a bronze medal last year at the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women and so her experience will be invaluable to the team."
Also included in the 16-strong squad along with the Sydney Uni Flames young gun are CoE scholarship holders Anneli Maley, Chantel Horvat and Alexandra Sharp.
The full initial roster is as follows: Sara Anastasieska, Madeleine Dennis, Jasmine Forcadilla, Chantel Horvat, Bride Kennedy-Hopoate, Anneli Maley, Megan McKay, Krystle McKenzie, Danijela Milisic, Bridget O'Brien, Taylor Ortlepp, Georgia Pineau, Maddison Rocci, Alexandra Sharp, Tahlia Tupaea and Morgan Yaeger.
FIBA
