TWO locals will represent Australia in the World under-24 Ulitimate Championships in the new year.
Ultimate is a non-contact team sport played with a Frisbee and combines elements of netball, touch football and gridiron.
The championships will take place at the UWA Sports Park from January 7 to 13, when about 1500 athletes, coaches and supporters from around the globe descend on Perth.
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READ NOWBrendon Canzirri (22), of Carlisle, and Jaxon Botje (22), of Belmont, are among 75 Australians training hard to represent their country in this global event.
A former basketballer who only took up Ultimate in 2015 so he could play in the Australian University Games, Canzirri is now hooked on the game and has racked up some impressive achievements in only two years.
He has represented WA in two Australian championships, was a member of WA’s under-22 team that won a bronze medal in 2016 and coached the state’s under-18 team to a bronze this year.
“Being able to represent Australia means so much to me,” Canzirri said.
“Being recognised and having the opportunity to compete against the world’s best in what you do…. you just can’t beat it.
“I can’t wait to be show the rest of the world what we’ve got tucked away ‘down under.’”
Botje has been playing Ultimate since 2009 and has represented his club in national men’s competitions since 2012.
He also captained the under-22s state team in 2016 to a bronze medal.
“I love playing the highest level of Ultimate in my age division,” Botje said.
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