SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A team of 10 San Diego senior women ages 60 to 65 years old are hoping to head to Ticino, Switzerland to represent the United States in the 17th World MaxiBasketball Championship this summer.
The group of women are part of a non-profit called San Diego Senior Women’s Basketball Association.
“I’m 66 years young,” said Team Captain Cyrce Mellor. “When you’re on the court, you are 20 again. Your spirit is alive again and to travel with friends you laugh with and enjoy being around, it’s the world.”
The women come from all parts of San Diego and they practice twice a week. They will be one of 32 teams in the competition and the only female team in that age category representing the United States.
“It’s just a whole other layer of joy at this chapter in our lives,” said Sue Gerzabek who’s taking the lead on fundraising.
Many of the women are retired or on fixed incomes and all come from varied socio-economic backgrounds. The team started a Go Fund Me hoping to raise $20,000 in order to be able to make the trek overseas for 10 days and compete.
“I came to realize, life is short. I was widowed 2 and half years ago – we had dreams of travelling and doing different things, once I lost my husband it was like what do I do?,” said player Martha Kimbrell.
The team has become a safe landing place for mature women who are navigating the challenges that come with getting older or losing a spouse.
“Most of us all have been mothers and we are grandmothers. We know those struggles,” said Mellor. “Now I have a friends who will listen and understand me and have been through life.”
