Gliders Defeat Japan in Start to North American Tour

Published On: 20 March 2014

Sarah Vinci (left) and Clare Nott are travelling with the Gliders on their North American Tour

The Australian women’s wheelchair basketball team has defeated Japan 53-30 in its first match at the Four Nations Tournament in Toronto, Canada.

The Gliders have embarked on a North American tour – starting with the Four Nations – that will also see them face The Netherlands and hosts Canada, before travelling to Alabama for the Lakeshore Cup, where the team will play the USA and once more against regional rivals Japan.

The tour forms crucial preparation for the Gliders ahead of this year’s IWBF Women’s Wheelchair Basketball World Championships which will also be hosted in Canada.

The Gliders selected a 12-strong squad, containing a large contingent of the silver medal winning side that featured so prominently at the 2012 London Paralympics.

Four Western Australian Institute of Sport representatives have travelled as part of the Gliders’ touring party, with Paralympians Sarah Vinci, Clare Nott and Amber Merritt joined by highly rated youngster, Georgia Inglis.

The Gliders proved too strong for Japan first up, despite playing under the effect of jetlag, having had only one training session, some four hours before tip-off. Japan struggled to counter Australia’s spread of scoring options, and the Gliders consequently, posted a comfortable 23 point victory.

The Netherlands and Canada however, will pose a sterner test of the Gliders’ credentials, with the Dutch side reigning Paralympic bronze medallists, and Canada certain to be tough to beat on home-court.

The draw for the 2014 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships was recently announced, with the Gliders receiving a challenging draw.

Pooled in Group A, the Gliders will face the Netherlands, 2010 World Champion USA, France, Peru and Mexico.

Australian Gliders Head Coach Tom Kyle said he is excited by the challenge ahead, believing the quality in their pool will have the team battle-hardened for the knockout stages of the tournament.

“I’m very happy with how our draw has eventuated,” Kyle said.

“The Netherlands and the USA present the greatest challenges for us, but I wouldn’t discount the likes of France, Peru and Mexico.”

Group B contains Paralympic champion Germany, along with; Great Britain, Canada, China, Japan and Brazil.