A nine-person Australian team has been named for the second edition of the Virtus European Summer Games in Krakow, Poland next month.
The competition, hosted by the International Organisation of Sport for people with a Disability (IOSD), is committed to developing elite sporting events that showcase athletes with intellectual impairments.
Part of the newly announced Australian team is 19-year-old Greek Australian, Andriana Petrakis, of Allenby Gardens in South Australia.
Speaking with The Greek Herald, Andriana says being selected to be part of the team made her feel very proud and enthusiastic.
The rising tennis star says she wishes “to achieve a gold medal for the European Summer Games” before delivering a message of positivity to those who have supported her.
“To my family, friends and everyone else in Australia, my message is to stay positive, be strong, humble and optimistic about being yourself when learning special things every day. God bless you all,” she says.
Andriana will be making her international debut in the Australian team alongside 17-year-old Luke Barker.
“We’re proud to introduce Australia’s No.1 junior boy Luke Barker and women’s No.3 Andriana Petrakis to the team, who are both valued assets,” head coach, Alison Scott said.
“After an extended period without international competition, we’re so excited to head to Poland and compete on the world stage once again.”
READ MORE: ‘I want to be number one’: Andriana Petrakis earns title in inclusive SA Tennis Championships
