Year 11 St Virgil’s College student, 16-year-old Nayte Ackerley has recently been announced as an Australian representative for basketball at the 2023 World Dwarf Games.
Nayte will be the youngest Australian athlete and only Tasmanian at the games, which will take place in Cologne, Germany from July 28 – August 5.
He said he is thrilled for the opportunity to represent his country and will travel with his dad and uncle on his first overseas trip.
Nayte started school basketball at St Virgil’s when a student friend and role model encouraged him to try the sport in Year 5.
From there he has never looked back, now playing club basketball for New Norfolk. It was at the club that he heard about the World Dwarf Games and set his sights to try out. The Games were cancelled due to COVID-19 in 2019 which allowed Nayte to continue developing on his skills.
He has shown his commitment to the sport, continuing to play for school and club and refereeing when the need arises, and has been able to balance his sporting aspirations with his senior secondary studies at the College.
Akin to the Olympics and Paralympics, the World Dwarf Games provides participation on an even footing and builds provides confidence and opportunity to compete for those with dwarfism. The 8th World Dwarf Games is a prestigious event to further develop athlete’s experience at an international level.
We wish Nayte all the best in the upcoming Games!