TEAM AUSTRALIA GROWING (ARCHIVE)

October 2009

In addition to six tennis players (men) who were recently selected, the Croatian World Games “Team Australia” now includes swimmers, soccer players and basketballers.

As a result of a number of qualifiers and trials held in Adelaide last weekend, the men’s basketball team is assured of a greater number of players for next years Croatian World Games, than was the case at the first Games in 2006. Under the playing leadership of 2006 basketball silver medallist, Daniel Krajlevic, a strong team is being developed to include 2006 silver medallists Joe Pajic, Goran Veg, David Bekic, and Toni Lalic, as well as newcomers Igor Bosnjak, Luka Pajic, Tomislav Malekin, Ivan Juric, Luka Fantela and Leigh Grgurovic. A number of other players have also been pencilled in awaiting their availability to travel to Zadar.

At the Croatian Sports Centre, men’s, women’s and men’s veterans soccer players gathered to similarly try out their paces and begin the process of developing teams. The veterans team is almost consolidated with the following players selected for Zadar; Gordon Vicic, John Hodak, Karl Rajic, Zlatko Vego, Mile Brzoja, Peter Curkovic, John Smoljko, Predrag Brzica, Ante Radic, Dinko Paleka and Rade Nobilo.

Selected for the men’s soccer team so far include Mirko Rajcic, Ante Bacic, Justin Romanik, Sasa Pavic, Tony Rusev, Anton Britvec and David Deak.

Women’s soccer selections are Katarina Kovacevic, Marijana Rajcic, Katarina Jukic, Antonia Jukic, Chantel Romanik, Diana Dragic, Angelina Lovrinov, Evelyn Balaban, Emily Skara and Ivanka Bartolovic.

At the Adelaide Aquatic Centre, a number of swimmers attended for trials in both men’s and women’s catagories. So far two women swimmers have been selected to represent Australia in Zadar next year, Sarah Sestanovich and Ivana Brzica covering butterfly, freestyle, backstroke, and individual medley.

Top up spots and emergencies are still available for registration for all of the above soccer teams, as well positions for persons willing to coach and/or fulfil roles as team managers. Similarly, registrations are still available to top up the women’s and men’s swimming categories.

The volleyball and waterpolo qualifiers were cancelled due to lack of registrations, although registrations as still open in these and all other categories.

More information about registering as players for the Croatian World Games may be found on the Croatian World Games official website at www.zadar2010.com or on the local website at www.croatiasa.com

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