Marianna Tolo could chase an overseas contract instead of another WNBL championship tilt as the Canberra Capitals captain weighs up her future.
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Tolo's sights are set on the Olympic Games which are slated to begin in July but the off-contract centre admits she faces an uncertain future beyond Tokyo.
WNBL officials are mapping out plans for the upcoming season with club bosses hopeful of a regular home and away campaign.
This past season was played in a north Queensland hub as the sport felt the pinch of the coronavirus pandemic, and players are anxiously waiting to see what their immediate future looks like.
The four-time WNBL champion has been a key part of the Capitals' success since returning to the club from a stint overseas and now another trip abroad could be on the radar.
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"I'm weighing that all up at the moment," Tolo said.
"Obviously we don't really know what's going on with the WNBL season yet and what that'll all look like, whether they'll return to a regular season or not. I think they're still trying to figure that out.
"Whether I play there or overseas, I'm just weighing it all up at the moment."
The uncertainty surrounding her playing future mirrors that of the Tokyo Games with conflicting reports forcing Tolo to block out the noise and train as if the event will go ahead.
The 31-year-old is set to visit Canberra's Good Shepherd Primary School on Monday as part of the Olympics Unleashed program presented by Optus, designed to connect students with Australian sport's heroes.
Tolo is a perfect example of the impact this sort of program can have. The Mackay product was little more than 10 years old when she had a brush with Olympic royalty.
"I was lucky enough to have Cathy Freeman come to my school when I was in primary school. That was part of the reason that really inspired me to want to become an Olympian," Tolo said.
"Cathy Freeman actually came from Mackay, she went to my primary school and she is cousins with my best friend in primary school.
"It was a super special experience, it was just unbelievable we got to see her and meet her. Being such a superstar, she is the epitome of the Olympics.
"I didn't really actually have that confidence to go up and talk to her. I just watched her and listened to every word she said.
"Even just seeing someone that came from your city and was so close to you, that made it feel more achievable, that you could do it one day too."
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
