by Emma Ballingall
Warragul's Ollie Muir has a full training schedule ahead as he prepares to pull on the Big V in not one, but two sporting codes.
The talented 12-year-old was selected in the Schools Sports Victoria (SSV) football team before also being announced as part of the basketball team in the 12 years and under age group.
As a result, the St Paul's grade six student will pack his bags to play footy in South Australia at the Australian championships from August 6 to 12 before travelling on to the basketball equivalent in Bendigo from August 13 to 19.

It's a big ask but Ollie is ready to thrive on the national stage.
Ollie has already made waves on the basketball court in recent years, making last year's SSV team as a bottom-age player. However, Victoria was unable to take part in the Australian championships due to COVID restrictions.
Playing locally for Warragul Gladiators, squad for Warragul Warriors and further afield for Dandenong Rangers, Ollie was confident he could make it back-to-back selections in the 10-person team.
However, as one of 650 boys trying out for the 18-person football team, Ollie wasn't as sure.
"I knew my ability for basketball," Ollie says. "(But) I'd only played locally for footy. It's a new experience."
Ollie has played footy with Neerim South over the past four seasons but this marks his first representative selection. It follows disappointment at missing out on the WDJFL interleague team.
“I was very excited. A little bit shocked but very excited,” said the midfielder on being selected after four trials.
Ollie says Victoria will enter the championships as one of the favourites in football, with Queensland perhaps their greatest competition.
For basketball, South Australia will prove a handful for the Big V who boast home-court advantage.
Ollie is now training hard for both basketball and football every day of the week, but says “I do love it”.
“I just like being fit, being around friends. When you play sport, you play with friends.”
Although completely different sports, Ollie can take his strengths across into both disciplines.
Not the tallest player, Ollie more than makes up for it with his determination and ability to leap. In fact, taking a “speccy” is one of his major football aims.
“I love to tackle in footy. Marking is my favourite thing to do.”
On the field or court, Ollie is also used to channelling any sledging into his defensive game.
“I just chase them down.”
A keen runner, Ollie took part in his first half marathon in December at just 11-years-old. He will be competing at the State Cross Country shortly in the Yarra Valley after progressing through local rounds held at Chairo Christian School and Lardner Park.
Asked of his future aims, Ollie is working towards making the All-Star Team next year in footy whilst eyeing opportunities to play basketball in the USA.
Long term, Ollie is keen to keep playing both sports at the highest possible level, and perhaps being forced into a decision of which to focus on in future.