The Guernsey veteran will be among the thousands of masters players flocking to the FIMBA Maxibasketball European Championship, which runs from 26 June to 5 July in the Greek capital of Athens.
The tournament will fittingly feature an Olympic-style team parade and bring together upwards of 3,000 players across the various five-year age bands, going so far as to include squads of over-80s.
‘It’s an amazing opportunity,’ the Guernsey Basketball Association welfare officer and experienced player said.
‘It’s not something I thought would ever happen.’
Still holding his own against players in their 20s and 30s in Guernsey Men’s Division One, Stuart had entered the trials out of a desire to ‘see where I stood’ at national level.
‘There’s not many of us in my age still playing in Guernsey, so I thought it would be good to see what level I’m at compared to the other players in the UK,’ he added.
‘I went along to the trials and I was successful at getting in.
‘Some of the guys in the team have played and represented GB previously and the feeling among our team is we’ve got a good chance of a medal.
‘It will be interesting to go out there and find out.’
He follows in the footsteps of Guernsey great Martin Yabsley, who achieved a silver with the ‘GB Maxis’ in the over-40s four years ago.
Looking ahead, Stuart hopes that other players can be inspired to take representative opportunities into their masters years.
‘Basketball in the island is brilliant and it’s growing and heading in the right direction.
‘In the future, it would be great if we could look at a Guernsey masters team to go and compete in some of the UK masters tournaments.’
