Rollers Squad for Continental Clash Announced as NWBL Finals Arrive

Published On: 22 June 2016

The Australian men’s wheelchair basketball squad for the Continental Clash in England has been named, with three WAIS scholarship athletes set to travel for the vital Paralympic preparation.

The Australian Rollers team of 14 athletes will include Brad Ness, who is aiming for a fifth Paralympic Games campaign in 2016, with the captain of the Rollers’ squad joined by triple Paralympian Shaun Norris and World Championship winner Adam Deans.

The 2016 Continental Clash, from July 2-5 will pit the world number one Rollers outfit against; Japan, Great Britain, the Netherlands, USA and Canada in an intensive campaign that will see the team play five matches in four days.

Head coach Ben Ettridge – who led the team to gold in Beijing (2008) and silver four years ago in London – believes this tournament will provide a vital cog in the team’s blueprint for Rio success.

“The tour of Great Britain will give us the international competition we need to prepare for Rio,” Ettridge said, following a team training camp at Canberra’s elite base.

We had a great week at the Centre of Excellence.

“The boys were all in excellent shape and playing some great ball. Without doubt, the work they are doing is paying off and I am very proud of all of them.

“As far as selection goes, the boys who missed out on this tour did everything they could to push for selection and at the end of the day, we have selected the best 14 guys to take on the teams at the Continental Clash.”

The squad departs of the 27th, but of more immediate concern for the group, this weekend will see the hosting of the 2016 National Wheelchair Basketball League finals at the Minto Indoor Sports Centre in NSW.

The Kilsyth Cobras will tackle a Perth Wheelcats team boasting Shaun Norris in the first semi-final, whilst in the second semi, Wollongong face a Red Dust Heelers squad, that features Brad Ness and Adam Deans.

The winner of semi-final one will advance direct to the final, whilst the loser of this clash will face the victors from semi-final two for a berth in the gold medal match.