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Horsley’s Luke Pople is still buzzing after playing in his first wheelchair basketball world championships for back-to-back winners Australia.
The 23-year-old was part of the senior team that defended its 2010 world title, defeating arch-rivals the United States 63-57 in a thrilling final in South Korea on July 14.
Though Pople didn’t play in the title match, he played a key role off the bench in Australia’s lead-up games, including games against Turkey, Colombia and the Rollers’ only loss, to the US.
‘‘It was my first world championships being a part of the senior team and one of the youngest players,’’ Pople said.
‘‘So going away with the boys and coming back with a gold was pretty special. It was a dream come true.’’
Pople is one of three Wollongong Rollerhawks players in the Australian team. He was joined in South Korea by teammates Nick Taylor, who lives in Corrimal, and Perth-based Adam Deans.
Ex-Rollerhawk Tristan Knowles played well in the final game.
‘‘We have our combination coming from Wollongong. To have people you’re familiar playing with is always a good thing. Me and Adam have come through the Rollers program together and to go away and represent Australia together is pretty cool,’’ Pople said.
Pople has been in the Rollers senior squad for about four years and the world championships was his first senior call-up. The former Figtree High School student started playing wheelchair basketball at 13, came through the Illawarra development team and joined the Rollerhawks at 15.
The point guard was happy with his court-time in South Korea and said he tried to be a positive influence.
‘‘I got a couple of baskets against Colombia and having your first basket in an international match was a good moment. It’s definitely a few steps up from our national league. It’s a lot faster and more physical.’’
Australian and Rollerhawks coach Ben Etteridge paid tribute to the strong Illawarra presence in the team, which had been the case for many years.
‘‘I think it’s the work that’s done by the Rollerhawks. I’m from Perth and, having moved across here, I’m blown away by the professionalism and the amount of work [Rollerhawks president] Pablo Jimenez and his committee do,’’ he said.
‘‘Luke was great – it was a big step up for him.’’
He said the players had overcome a tough draw and illness to win.