Page 38 - BWA Annual Report 2019

Wheelchair Development
HIGH PERFORMANCE PATHWAY
2019 saw the consolidation of the Wheelchair Basketball program within Basketball WA. BWA continued to run The Perth Wheelcats National League program for both men and women, and the relationship with WAIS was strengthened with the aim to continue the tradition of producing elite-level athletes for the na- tional teams remains.
Basketball WA continued to work closely with the WAIS Wheelchair Basketball program. The Black Ducks and Wheelcats had 11 athletes selected in the Wheelchair Basketball program on full scholarships and or train-on agreements for 2019.
This offered athletes numerous benefits including access to the Daily Training Environment and the opportunity to work with multiple specialists to assist with their own player progression.
In 2019 the following athletes represented Australia at different levels:
GLIDERS
• Amber Merrit
• Sarah Vinci
• Mary Friday
• Natalie Alexander
• Stephen Charlton
(Assist. Coach/Coach)
DEVILS – UNDER 25 WOMEN
• Lauren Hardbottle
• Mary Friday
• Stephen Charlto (Coach)
ROLLERS
• Shaun Norris (Captain)
• Michael Auprince
• Kim Robins
• Craig Friday (Coach)
EMERGING ROLLERS
• Frank Pinder
• Andrew Dewberry
• Craig Friday (Coach)
SPINNERS – UNDER 23 MEN
• Frank Pinder
• Ben Moncrief
• Thomas McHugh
• Ben Sainsbury
In 2019 the Black Ducks program competed in the Kevin Coombs Cup and were successful in winning the event.
BWA would like to congratulate all athletes, coaches and support staff who made this fantastic achievement possible. The Kevin Coombs Cup has been at the forefront of producing the country’s best wheelchair talent for a number of years, with many players later going on to represent Australia.
From the Black Ducks Team of 2019/2020 there is again the potential to provide a number of athletes to be selected to represent Australia in the Under 23 for Men and Under 25 for Women.
• Frank Pinder
• Ben Moncrief
• Ben Sainsbury
• Thomas McHugh • Lauren Hardbottle