Magnificent Seven London Bound

Published On: 5 July 2012

Captain Fantastic: Brad Ness will compete at a fourth Paralympics for Australia in London

The Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) has today announced seven WA athletes on the men’s and women’s Australian wheelchair basketball teams for the 2012 London Paralympics.

Highlighting the announcement made in Perth, was the inclusion of Australian Rollers captain Brad Ness – who will make his fourth Paralympic appearance for Australia – where he will be joined by fellow West Australian 2008 Beijing gold medallists; Justin Eveson, Shaun Norris and Michael Hartnett.

The Gliders – who claimed bronze in Beijing – will also include a strong WA core, with Clare Nott making her second Paralympic team, to be joined by debutants Amber Merritt and Sarah Vinci.

Both teams are also coached by Western Australians, with Ben Ettridge again overseeing the Rollers push for back to back gold, whilst Gliders coach John Triscari will lead at Paralympic level for the first time.

Australia has won six medals in wheelchair basketball at the Paralympic Games – two gold, three silver and one bronze – since it was introduced to the Games in Rome 1960. Of the six medals, the Rollers have won two gold and a silver, whist the Gliders have won two silver and a bronze.

Australian Paralympic Committee CEO and 2012 Chef de Mission Jason Hellwig believes the medal tally will continue to grow in London.

“Australia has a proud history in wheelchair basketball, having competed in the sport since the first Paralympic Games in 1960. More recently, it is a sport that has brought Australia a lot of success and we are hopeful that these two teams can enhance that record further in London,” Mr Hellwig said.

“It is wonderful for every Roller and Glider heading to the 2012 Games to know that they are part of a sport with such a rich Paralympic history of which Australia plays a significant role.”

The seven selected wheelchair basketball athletes takes WA’s officially selected numbers for the 2012 London Paralympics to 13.

Full biographies can be found on the APC website:

Brad Ness – http://www.paralympic.org.au/team/brad-ness

Justin Eveson – http://www.paralympic.org.au/team/justin-eveson

Shaun Norris – http://www.paralympic.org.au/team/shaun-norris

Michael Hartnett – http://www.paralympic.org.au/team/michael-hartnett

Clare Nott – http://www.paralympic.org.au/team/clare-nott-nee-burzynski

Amber Merritt – http://www.paralympic.org.au/team/amber-merritt

Sarah Vinci – http://www.paralympic.org.au/team/sarah-vinci