WA Wheelchair Basketball Trio Named in Rollers Selection Camp

As the countdown to the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games nears its 100 days milestone, three WAIS wheelchair basketball scholarship athletes have been named in the Rollers’ 18-strong selection camp squad.

Set to be held at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence, the selection camp will provide a clear insight into Australia’s likely squad for this year’s Paralympic Games. Firmly in the mix for national honours, are Western Australians; Brad Ness, Shaun Norris and Adam Deans.

The camp, which will form between May 29 – June 2 will select a squad for the Tour of England which will be followed by the Continental Cup in early July.

Rollers head coach Ben Ettridge said the group would embrace the opportunity to collectively unite ahead of a busy campaign.

“This is an excellent opportunity for our top 18 athletes to come together and push each other,” Ettridge said.

“Every guy here is vying for selection, competition is high. No one has yet punched a ticket to Rio.”

Current Rollers captain Brad Ness will compete in a fifth Paralympic campaign if selected for Rio, whilst teammate Shaun Norris is in line to compete at a fourth. Adam Deans, as the youngest member of the WA trio is aiming to make his Paralympic debut in Brazil.

As the squad prepares to enter the Paralympics as the world’s top ranked side, coach Ettridge suggested his side would not be resting on their laurels.

“This camp is about continuing to develop the mental, physical, technical, tactical and cultural toughness needed to take on the world’s best in Rio,” he said.

The Rollers have been drawn alongside; Canada, Turkey, the Netherlands, Japan and Spain in their Paralympic Games group in Rio.

The camp will also see WAIS Sports Psychologist Shanye Hanks and WAIS consultant Strength and Conditioning coach Adam Wolski working with the Rollers squad.