Nikki Bishop, 17, ofBy Tania Martin
REPRESENTING Australia has been a life-long dream for Monbulk teenager Nikki Bishop.
She will now have the chance to do just that after making the National Youth Volleyball team.
Bishop will represent the country in the Ararfura Games in May.
The games, held in Darwin, are a leading international sporting competition for emerging champions of the Asia-Pacific region.
This year the Arafura Games promise some exciting competitions in 23 sports including volleyball, athletics, basketball, swimming and weightlifting.
Bishop was chosen as part of the national team following a training camp in Bendigo just before Christmas.
She has always had a dream to represent her country in sport and is really excited about going to Darwin.
For years Bishop trained as a competitive 1500-metre runner and was on course to represent her country when she had to give it up.
Bishop had a medical condition that stopped her from running.
But she didn’t give up her dream to do well in sport and turned to volleyball.
For the past six years volleyball has become one of the main focuses in Bishop’s life.
She trains up to 15 hours a week including most mornings and nights.
Bishop says to be good at a chosen sport one has to train hard.
She said her training includes strength and fitness training and practicing ball techniques.
Bishop said the physical education staff at Monbulk Secondary College where she trains are amazing.
“They are amazing and they put in so many hours just for the love of the sport,” she said.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without their support.”
Bishop also plays beach volleyball, is a volunteer beach patroller, and is the Sandy Point club champion and junior iron woman. This year will be a busy year for Bishop as she is also competing in the Victorian junior volleyball team at the state championships in Sydney in July.
Bishop is hoping to one day play in America or Europe but she knows it will take a lot of training to get that far.
She is now calling for sponsors to help raise $3,000, which she needs to go to both the tournaments in Darwin and Sydney.
People who want to support Nikki in her dream to play for Australia should call 0431 616 558.
