NEW Norfolk basketballer Nayte Ackerley has put the Derwent Valley on the world map.
At 16 years old, Nayte is at the top of his sport, having been part of Australia’s winning team at the World Dwarf Games in Germany at the weekend.
The St Virgils year 11 student travelled to Germany with his dad Wayne last month to take part in the competition.
Nayte scored four points against the US in what was a thumping of 30-3 win for Australia.
Nayte was the second youngest player on the team.
Well-known sporting identity Wade Gleeson said Nayte had put the Derwent Valley on the world map.
Speaking from New Norfolk, mum Tameeka Ackerley said she was beyond proud.
“It’s the first time Australia has been in the men’s finals,’’ Mrs Ackerley said.
“He is really excited.
“There is a lot going on over there. As soon as they won gold and the closing ceremony was over they had a big party.
“I will cry when I see him (on Friday).
“It’s been crazy. He is the most amazing, casual, laidback kid and has a great sense of humour.’’
That humour was on full display when he spoke to Gazette journalist Mike Kerr in February this year.
In his 16 years, Nayte Ackerley has heard most of it.
He’s ‘short’ or ‘pint-sized’, like a character from a Disney film.
A child recently told him he looked ‘like a chopped up man’.
“It’s all right,” he says. “I can handle it. And it’s okay to call me a dwarf. I am, and its no big deal,” he says, laughing at his own joke.
What makes Nayte even more the subject of curiosity is that he’s also a basketball player. And a good one.
The World Dwarf Games draws athletes with dwarfism from around the world to participate in a range of sports that also includes soccer, track and field, volleyball, swimming, powerlifting and archery.
Australia’s previous best in basketball was a third-placed bronze.