SWAN Hill sporting export Tessa Lavey understands better than most the impact high profile athletes can have on young ones in regional areas.
The 29-year-old is returning to the Mallee this weekend for Sunday’s AFLW clash between her Richmond and the GWS Giants at the Mildura Sporting Precinct.
An Olympic representative and Commonwealth Games gold medal winner with the Australian Opals basketball team, Lavey will have a unique perspective on the new facility in Sunraysia.
Following the AFLW season, the defender will move immediately into basketball duties for the Bendigo Spirit in the WNBL.
That means she will return to the indoor part of the precinct in December as the Spirit host the Adelaide Lightning.
But before then, Lavey is expecting a strong contingent of family and friends to attend on Sunday, provided floodwater and road concerns have eased by game day.
“I’m really excited to have family and friends come and watch us play in Mildura,” she said.
“I know everyone up there has been doing it pretty tough with the floods so hopefully having some live sport for them to come out and watch will lift some spirits.
“I know Mildura is going to put on a show and we can’t wait for it.
“I know my parents will be there but I’ve been putting out the call on social media for friends and family back home to come and watch.”
As a sports loving child of a regional town, Lavey understands how important it is for major teams to make their presence felt away from the city.
“For kids like I was, growing up in regional areas, sport is a huge thing and for them to potentially get a chance to see and meet their favourites or get photos and autographs is huge,” she said.
“Hopefully girls there might get the inspiration to be the next Mon Conti, Courtney Wakefield or Katie Brennan.
“Hopefully this will go off and we’ll be able to have more games of AFLW and WNBL in Mildura and continue building those relationships.”
Lavey, who finished fifth in Richmond’s best and fairest last season, said her Spirit squad mates had been glowing in their praise of Mildura Sporting Precinct after playing an exhibition game on the show court earlier this month against Mildura Heat’s CBL men’s side.
Richmond come into this week’s game with a six-match winning streak, and another victory will secure their first finals berth in their fourth season in the competition.
“It’s a testament to the group for the hard work we have been putting in and we’re starting to see the rewards for that,” Lavey said.
“We’ve added some nice pieces to our playing group and it’s helping to take us forward. You always want to be playing finals so for us to be in that potential position is awesome.”
Richmond will hold an open training session on Saturday at the Mildura Sporting Precinct from 4pm, with Sunday’s game beginning at 3.10pm.
All members and fans must redeem or buy their ticket via Ticketmaster prior to the match.
