The pair will partake in a two-week tour of Texas and Los Angeles, catching NBA and college basketball games, shooting hoops and sightseeing along the way.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have the opportunity to go over and play seven games of basketball against college teams, so a super-exciting experience,\u201d Kaylah said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe get to do a bit of touring stuff as well while we\u2019re over there, so it\u2019s not all just basketball.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chance and Kaylah began their basketball journeys with the Rochester Tigers, moving into the representative squad and later the Victorian Junior Basketball League after playing in the Shepparton league.<\/p>\n
The VJBL is the highest junior competition in the state and has presented the opportunity for the US tour.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe VJBL coach saw us playing and we both got asked to join their team,\u201d Kaylah said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough the VJBL, they do the USA tour, and we were asked to join that.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Chance and Kaylah with their Rochester Basketball Association U12 girls team as part of the Echuca Basketball Tournament.
\n Photo by
\n Emily Donohoe<\/p>\n
Kaylah is looking forward to building her basketball skills, as well as her connections with her teammates.<\/p>\n
\u201cExperiencing the two weeks away with the team and getting to know everyone a lot better,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe different style of basketball that we\u2019ll be exposed to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Community members have rallied around the pair, jumping on board with donations and supporting their fundraisers.<\/p>\n
Among the initiatives they have run include a bake sale and catering the Rochester Basketball Association grand finals night.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been very lucky, all the local businesses have been super supportive,\u201d Kaylah said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’ve had some generous (monetary) donations from businesses.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut also goods and services … we\u2019ve had some that went towards our bake sale that we ran, and then some towards the night we ran at the Rochy grand final.\u201d<\/p>\n
The duo will continue to fundraise in the community before jetting off.<\/p>\n
A GoFundMe has also been set up to help the young basketball guns achieve their dream trip in a few months\u2019 time.<\/p>\n