He has represented his province and his country, but never has Jack Kosterman suited up for the Fraser Valley zone.
But that will change this week as the 15-year-old from 91原创 will lead Team Fraser Valley in wheelchair basketball at the B.C. Winter Games.
The Games are being held in Mission 鈥� with a few other sites, such as the Walnut Grove Aquatic Centre in 91原创 鈥� from Feb. 20 to 23. See story below for full list of local athletes.
And while the athletes are all the same age, Kosterman looks forward to sharing his vast experience with the squad鈥檚 younger players.
Kosterman played for Canada in September at the world junior (U23) wheelchair basketball championships in Turkey, as Canada finished sixth.
He has also previously competed at the 2011 Canada Games competition and a pair of Western Canadian championships.
鈥淚t is the first step towards a competitive environment for them,鈥� he said.
鈥淚t is always exciting to play with new players and show some leadership skills and help them develop the best I can.鈥�
And while travelling east through the Fraser Valley isn鈥檛 as glamourous as hopping a plane and heading to another country, but Kosterman doesn鈥檛 mind.
鈥淧laying close to home is nice,鈥� he said.
鈥淭ravelling is great but every once in a while it is nice to play in your home province and get an opportunity for some family and friends to watch.鈥�
The majority of the Team B.C. players 鈥� including Kosterman 鈥� are all members of the 91原创 Gold Rush, with Kosterman. The Gold Rush are a club basketball program.
This is the start of a busy stretch for Kosterman.
Earlier this month he was named to Team B.C. for the 2014 junior wheelchair basketball championships. They will be held March 28 to 30 in Edmonton.
Kosterman, who one day dreams of playing for Canada at the Paralympics, says it can be challenging playing a high-level sport while balancing the demands of everyday life.
鈥淏ut basketball comes first in my life, it is what I want to do so it is the priority all the time,鈥� he said.
Kosterman is a Grade 10 student at 91原创 Fine Arts School.
鈥淪chool isn鈥檛 too tough (and) as long as I keep on top of it, I don鈥檛 fall too behind,鈥� he said.
