Former Weipa resident Thurston Bosuen is making a name for himself on the basketball court after being selected to don Queensland colours to compete at the national championships in Bendigo next month. Photo: Supplied.
The on-court competition may be blistering, but a former Weipa junior sportsman will be hoping his Queensland kit includes something warm as he prepares to swap Far North Queensland for regional Victoria to compete on the national stage next month.
Thurston Bosuen, who grew up in Weipa and only moved to Cairns three years ago to pursue his sporting dreams, has been named in the under-16 Queensland Norths team that will put state pride on the line from 6-13 July in Bendigo as Basketball Australia hosts the 2025 U16 National Championships.
Bosuen is one of 20 Queensland players selected to don maroon in Bendigo and he said being called up for representative honours had been the culmination of several years’ hard work both on and off the court.
“Coming from a remote community, only having lived in Cairns for the past 3 years, and making the Queensland basketball team means everything to me,” he said.
“It’s more than just wearing the jersey or playing at a higher level, it’s proof that dreams can come true, no matter where you’re from.
“Being selected means I get to represent not just myself, but my community; it shows other kids back home that with hard work, belief and support, we can be just as good as anyone in the state.
“It’s about more than basketball, it’s about opening doors, breaking barriers and showing that talent lives everywhere, even in the most remote places.”
For any Weipa residents wanting to watch Bosuen show off his skills for his state, the championships are scheduled to be broadcast online by Basketball Australia at www.competitions.basketball.
Thurston Bosuen goes for the basket on-court. Photo: Supplied.
