Right: Australian Commonwealth gold medalist and basketballerAFTER nearly two weeks of intense competition gold medal winning Opal Katrina Hibbert recently took the time to celebrate mixing with local basketball fans.
Set to return to the Knox Ford Raiders SEABL women’s team, Hibbert relaxed in a corporate box at Knox Converse Stadium recently and cheered on her Raiders team mates.
Constantly obliging with requests for photographs and the signing of everything from shirts and posters to caps and player cards, Hibbert enjoyed every minute of sharing her success with supporters.
Introduced to the crowd during the women’s match on Saturday, 25 March, which the Raiders won 79-70 against Frankston, Hibbert, with her gold medal draped around her neck, spoke of her excitement in representing Australia at the Commonwealth Games.
“It’s been great fun, the whole team worked hard and we achieved our goal of winning gold for Australia,” she said.
To the delight of sponsors, Hibbert then visited every corporate box with her gold medal and stopped for photographs and to talk with each sponsor.
Paul Hood from Perennial Kitchens said both he and his family were pleasantly surprised to meet Hibbert and praised her on being so approachable and appreciative of the huge support she has at Knox.
“The kids loved the opportunity to meet Katrina, as we all did.
“It’s not every day you get to personally meet a gold medallist, but I guess that’s the benefit of being involved with a club at grassroots level where players like to give something back to the fans,” he said.
