Published: May 10, 2016, 05:39 PM (IST)
Edited: May 10, 2016, 05:39 PM (IST)
They might not have won the ICC Women T20 World Cup title, but Australia Women are back to raise funds for sending elite athletes to Rio Games. Their journey towards the finals has surely reaped rewards for an important cause. Southern Stars have raised $4,200 for the special athletes. Those lovely boundaries that Southern Stars have displayed during T20 World Cup, has raised $50 fund for the Australia Paralympics Team for Rio Olympics this September. The Australian’s were successful in smashing 84 boundaries right since their first match against South Africa in Nagpur until their last match against West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, which had reached the total of $4,200. ALSO READ: Sachin Tendulkar accepts IOA’s invitation to become India’s goodwill ambassador for Rio
The Southern Stars key player Alex Blackwell presented the cheque to Australia’s Paralympic Team on Tuesday morning. Elated by this experience, Blackwell has said to cricket.com.au, “It makes us feel like a part of their team now. Doing it brought us together as a team and it was good thing to have something else to focus on during the tournament. I’ve been a part of elite sport long time and now I’m a professional, full-time athlete, which I never thought would happen in my time. But I played with women who used to have to pay to play. We’re really fortunate now but we know that’s not the case for many Australian athletes.” Alyssa also posted a picture on Twitter thanking the Paralympics team. ALSO READ: Virat Kohli chooses not to comment on Salman Khan’s appointment as ambassador
Thanks for having us @AUSParalympics, absolute privilege to meet our heroes! All the best for the Rio #WeBelieve pic.twitter.com/Knva4aoyrS
— Southern Stars (@SouthernStars) May 10, 2016
Australia’s Alyssa Healy was equally happy to meet the Paralympics Team including their coach Louise Sauvage, the coach for the Paralympics Team in Rio Olympics. Healy further added, “They’re unbelievable people and elite athletes. We wish them all the best for Rio and it’s been nice for us to play a very small part in trying to help them reach their target. It’s been nice to chat to them and hear about their journeys, as well giving back now we’re in a pretty fortunate position. Hopefully they can go over there and do us proud, which I know they will.” The Australian Women are also requesting the fans to support Australian Paralympics Team as they require another $7 million to send their entire team to Rio.
