The Senior Women's National Team is coming off a great start to the summer having won the Gold Medal at the Pan Am Games in Toronto. The next step for them is to qualify for the 2016 Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro by winning the FIBA Americas Tournament taking place in Edmonton. Leading up to the Americas Tournament we spoke to our SWNT members and they gave us their thoughts on a few things and here's what they had to say. To buy tickets for the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship for Women, click here.

Natalie Achonwa discusses why she loves representing her country

Natalie's Profile

You invest in Canada Basketball because they invest in you.  I’ve been a part of the National Program since I was 13 or 14 starting at the National Elite Development Academy all the way to the Junior Team and eventually to the Senior Team.  I made that comment because of Coach Alison McNeill to take a chance on me at 16 to make the Senior Team.  They are always working to make their players better.  Canada Basketball is a very team oriented and focused federation.  It’s not a one-year deal, it’s not like college where you go for four years, it’s an investment that they make from a young age and they continue to develop talent over the years.  And that’s how we’ve continued (as a program) on an upward motion.

They are always trying to make their players better and in turn make their team better by continuing to invest in them.  And not by focusing on what players can do the team but how they can make the individuals better players.

Every time I come back from playing with (the National Team) I feel lighter.  I feel like I’m representing more than myself, I feel like the game of basketball is more than just putting the ball through the hoop.  You get to represent your country and with same pride and passion that you play the game there’s eleven other people that want to do the same thing in a Red and White jersey.  It’s just good vibes, and I’m all about good vibes, and it’s coming from every time we get together and being around these people that love to do what you do.

I feel like I’ve sacrificed a lot but I haven’t lost anything. Yeah I gave up time to be with my friends, yeah I gave up summer school and graduating early, yeah I gave up time being with my Indiana Fever team so you do sacrifice a lot but I don’t see it as a give-take situation. I feel like sacrifices need to be made to do something you love.  Sacrifices need to be made to do something you’re passionate about.  Going back to being invested in Canada Basketball when I made the decision at 13, 14 to move away from home to be a part of NEDA, yeah it was a sacrifice but it brought me to where I am today. (Sacrifice) put me on the Senior National Team to represent my country in the 2012 Olympics. There are things you give up but it’s always for the greater good … and I wouldn’t trade anything I’ve ever sacrificed for any moment that I get to put on that jersey.

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