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Gliders star Amber Merritt understands the rivalry between Australia and Great Britain better than most.
Australia’s hopes of making the quarter-finals of the women’s wheelchair basketball are hanging by a thread and the old enemy awaits in the Gliders’ penultimate group game on Saturday night.
The English-born Merritt makes no apologies for recognising her roots and is just a forthright when asked where her allegiances lie.
“I’ve been Aussie for 18 years, so I am more Aussie than I am English,” the 28-year-old Merritt said.
“But I do still sing the (British) national anthem when it comes on because I respect my heritage.”
Merritt was born at Portsmouth on the south coast of England and left with her family for Australia when she was 10.
“England came to play in Perth a number of years ago and my Dad showed up to the game in a big Union Jack shirt. They did it just for stirring – I know they are supporting us,” she said.
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The Gliders’ last significant match against Great Britain came at the World Championship in Hamburg in 2018, where the Brits dispatched of the Aussies 63-38, on their way to winning the silver medal.
“They are just getting stronger and stronger every time we face them. So, for us, we know we are going to be facing a really strong team, but we’re ready to take the challenge on,” Merritt said.
Australia spent Friday in recovery mode after a gruelling schedule saw it finish late on the opening night against Japan, only to back up for the first game of the day, against Germany, on Thursday.
Merritt admits the Gliders shooting has been poor in the opening two games, landing just 37 per cent from the field against Japan, and 49 per cent against Germany.
“Shooters’ mentality – it is a thing – and you want the girls to be confident in their abilities,” she said.
“I think sometimes he (coach Craig Friday) wishes the girls had a bit more confidence to shoot the ball. We can all shoot the ball, we’ve done the work to get to this point, so it is just a matter of believing in ourselves and understanding this is my time.”
Merritt, along with fellow West Australian Sarah Vinci, are the only survivors from the Gliders’ silver medal winning team in 2012 and hopes the squad is now feeling comfortable in the Games environment.
“Obviously a lot of the girls, it’s their first Paralympic campaign and so it is very overwhelming trying to take everything in.” she said.
“We’ve just got to remind ourselves, it’s just basketball. Whether it’s the Paralympics or the World Championships we just have to keep focussing on what we can do, what we can control, and take it on.”
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Saturday’s match, to be played at Ariake Arena, will be Great Britain’s last in the pool phase.
Australia moves back out to Musashino Forest Sport Plaza for its final game, on Sunday, against Canada.
By: Paralympics Australia
Posted: 27 August 2021
