New York Liberty guard and Canada native Kia Nurse is finding a way to make an impact in her home away from home. Nurse and her UC Capitals teammate Kelsey Griffin have committed to use the team’s points to support those affected by the bushfires in Australia.
According to an article from the UC Capitals, over the next five games, starting with tonight’s matchup against the Bendigo Spirt, Nurse and the Griffin will donate $5 from every point made to the firefighters and the Salvation Army to help those directly impacted by the fires.
The pledge comes hours after the WNBL and UC Capitals announced the cancellation of this Sunday’s home game due to smoke caused from the NSW bushfires.
Nurse initiated the challenge with a Tweet.
“Australia has been so good to me for the last 2 years. I have been in awe that I’m fortunate enough to get to live and explore such a beautiful country. I have made lifelong friends and relationships and grown so much as a person,” said Nurse.
“My heart sinks every time I see the news about the devastation the fires have caused. I can’t even begin to imagine what’s it’s like for those evacuating leaving everything they have behind.
“As a basketball player I was always told to ‘control the controllable’. The aspects of the game and life that I could control is all I ever needed to worry about. Finding a way to support those in need during the darkest of times is controllable. I’m hoping this brings some awareness to the cause in both my home county Canada and where I play most of my basketball career in USA,” said Nurse.
Nurse is leading the league for points, averaging over 20 a game, and posted a career-high 32 points the last time the UC Capitals played Bendigo.
Interested in donating? Here are a few options to aid in the firefighting and recovery efforts for affected communities.