Meet the newest member of our Dara Mama Club: Australian basketball player, Rohanee Cox. Here’s some info about Rohanee from olympics.com.au:
During the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) season in 2000, Rohanee Cox suffered severe anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage to her left knee.The injury looked sure to end her basketball career when two seasons later while playing for Perth, she damaged the same knee again.
“Back then, I never thought I would play basketball again,” Cox said.
“I lost my passion for the game and took much needed time out.”
During her time away from professional basketball, her life went down a new path with the birth of her daughter Alyriah.
“She’s very important to me. She is part of the reason I got back into playing.”
[snip]
After impressive form in the national team’s 2008 international series and camps, Cox earned herself a ticket to Beijing.
“I’m ecstatic, absolutely over the moon,” Cox said. “It’s left me speechless and with a smile I just can’t get off my face.
“It hasn’t been easy balancing basketball with a family, but I have a great support group and I know they are backing me all the way.
“My daughter may not really know why I am going away in August, but I know she will be watching and that makes me feel so good.”
Cox will also play a special role in Beijing, as one of Australia’s proud Indigenous Olympians.
Yay. From an indigenous blogger to an indigenous Olympian, good luck to you Rohanee.
In case you are wondering, Australia’s women’s basketball team settled for the silver [to the United States] in the two previous Olympics. However, the Aussies just might grab the gold this time around. They are, after all, the reigning FIBA World Champions.
Somewhat related:
Dara Mama Club: Melanie Roach
Jana Rawlinson, a.k.a. Jana Mama, Is Out of the Olympics
Dara Torres Makes Another Olympic Bid
Photo source: cairns.com
