Great Britain international basketball player Laura Caesar has today flown to Argentina to compete in the

Veteran Laura will starting for GB's Over-50s, as the team's small forward, in the FIMBA World Maxibasketball Championships, with five mens and women's teams in total will take part.

Her GB team take on Chile A on Sunday, followed by Argentina A on Monday in Group D and are going for gold this time, after finishing fourth in the European Championship n Malaga last year.

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"We have a strong squad," said Laura. "We did quite well in lama, with team hit by Covid," so we are going out there knowing it will be very tough against the world's best but confident we can do well."

However, Laura, from Shotley Gate, has been frustrated to see the nets at her nearest court left in such a state of disrepair for months.

The multi-sports court, which includes, basketball board with net, couples up as a netball hoop, but the nets have been damaged ver along period of time.

GB basketball star Laura Caeser points out torn nets (Picture: Nub News)

Shotley parish council is responsible for the maintenance and repairs of the court in Lloyd Road but has failed to act, even though the parish clerk and individual councillors have been told abut the state of the nets and other areas of disrepair.

Many youngsters use the court but Laura feels more needs to be done to encourage more to play. Her and a GB teammate have even played some two on two against young players, and even though it was a bit like Land of the Giants, she was encourage by their enthusiasm.

"We are obviously just great shooters here in Shotley because we have shot the nets out within a year," said Laura. "I'm sure the boys that come out here would appreciate the nets being repaired and more done to improve facilities in general"

Laura, a dispensary manager at Riverside health centre in Manningtree, and who has worked at both Holbrook and Shotley surgeries, uses up holiday to be able to play for GB, and, like all her teammates, has to fund everything herself.

"We are recognised by the official bodies but do not get any funding," she added.

Laura has represented with England or GB at virtually every age group since she was 13-year-old after taking up the sport at aged 11. She is loving playing in the older age groups, and even takes a 14 hour flight, with a fur hour lay over, in her stride.

She will share a room with GB captain Louise Cooke from Bournemouth in Argentina, with both using high tech to monitor their jet, lag sleep and even when they can drink a cup of coffee.

Laura said: We have an app which tells us everything about jet lag, daylight napping, and even though we are technically amateur, we have fabulous coaches, physios, conditioning experts, which all helps us, espeiclalya s we get older.

The mum of two grown up children, was also full of praise for her backers and home support.

She added: "I really want to thank all of those that have supported me financially and emotionally over the many years.

"Without them I would not be able to do this."

Another source of inspiration has been the Lionesses that got to the final of the World Cup finals in Australia and World Heptathlon Champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson, who battled back from along series of setbacks to win gold in Budapest.

Laura said: "The Lionesses are massive for any female sports person because they are on the world stage and have done so well.

"They help us get psyched up. So too does Katarina who has achieved so much, in the toughest of circumstances."

"Many sports are male dominated, so it is wonderful to have so many strong woman inspiring young girls, and us oldies,"