Australian Athletes with a Disability

August 2008

The ABC will broadcast more than 100 hours on ABC1 and ABC2 - the biggest coverage of a Paralympic Games ever. Hosts include Comedian Adam Hills, Paralympic Gold Medallist Louise Sauvage, and ABC Sport presenters Karen Tighe and Steve Robilliard.

Daily highlights on ABC1*
6.00pm - 7.00pm
11.30pm - 12.30am

Daily coverage on ABC2*
1.00pm - 5.00pm
7.30pm - 11.00pm

*Also screens in high definition on ABC HD (digital channel 20)
Please check your local guides to confirm all broadcast times.

Wheelchair Basketball

WNWBL

The Hills Hornets have won the 2008 title in the ninth season of the Women's National Wheelchair Basketball League (WNWBL). The win over the Western Stars (53 to 47) was the seventh consecutive title for the Hornets. Liesl Tesch was once again the highest point scorer for the season, scoring 17 points in the grand final for the Hornets. Tesch and teammate Sarah Stewart, along with Amanda Carter (Dandenong Rangers), Kylie Gauci (Goudkamp Gladiators) and Cobi Crispin (Western Stars) were named in the All Star Five. Most Valuable Player was awarded to Gauci and Best New Talent was awarded to Amber Merritt (Western Stars). The finals series was held in Sydney at Marrickville PCYC from 8-10 August 2008.

For results and information on all the rounds of the WNWBL visit http://wnwbl.sports.org.au

NWBL

In the finals of the NWBL, the Perth Wheelcats were too good for the Highlube Roller Hawks (112 to 75). Justin Eveson from the Wheelcats was the standout performer scoring 50 points with team mate Brad Ness scoring 28 points and the Roller Hawks' Tristan Knowles scoring 31 points. Knowles was the highest point scorer for the season and he was also named the Most Valuable Player. Knowles was joined by Tige Simmons (Brisbane Spinning Bullets), Dylan Alcott (Dandenong Rangers), Shaun Norris (Perth Wheelcats) and Troy Sachs (West Sydney Razorbacks), who were all named in the All Star Five. The NWBL finals series were held at Dandenong Stadium in Melbourne on 15-17 August 2008.

For results and information on all the rounds of the NWBL visit http://nwbl.sports.org.au

Gliders vs China Series

The Australian Gliders completed a clean sweep of the five game series against China, held at the AIS at the end of July. Following the conclusion of the National league, the team is attending a Pre-Paralympic camp in Townsville before heading to Beijing on 1 September.

BA Junior Wheelchair Basketball Development Camp

For the first time, Basketball Australia conducted the 2008 BA Junior Wheelchair Development Camp in conjunction with the Australian U/18 Men's and Women's Basketball Championships. The camp was held at the Ballarat Basketball Stadium in Victoria from Tuesday 8 July to Saturday 12 July 2008.

In total, 37 athletes attended the camp and participated in the Kevin Coombes Cup. The first three placed teams from the round robin competition were presented medals by Kevin Coombes who was a guest at the finals. The Head Coach for the camp was Mark Walker (Head Coach of the Australian U23 team). Mark was well assisted by former Paralympic Coach, Evan Bennett, BA Wheelchair Scholarship Coach, Ben Osbourne, Lee Nott and Craig Bartlett from Perth, Matt Dunstan and Leanne Del Toso from Basketball Victoria, Rebecca Smith from Queensland and Margaret Bennet from NSW.

The focus of this event was to provide opportunities for development and coaching for young wheelchair athletes with a competitive focus. It is anticipated that BA will continue to work with WSA towards integrating this event with one of their National Championships annually or biannually.

Three Former Greats Receive Life Membership of NWBL

Michael Callahan, Errol Hyde and Gerry Hewson were awarded Life Membership in recognition for their contribution to the National Wheelchair Basketball League. NWBL Secretary Barry Barker presented the awards during half time of the NWBL game between West Sydney Razorbacks and Perth Wheelcats on 19 July 2008.

Sydney Spirit - Training sessions open to the public

NBL team Sydney Spirit are inviting coaches and supporters to attend their court training sessions to watch the team train at Auburn Basketball Centre (Wyatt Park, Church St, Lidcombe) weekdays between 10.30am and 1.00pm. For further information or to confirm details contact the Spirit Coaches' office on 02 9749 7224.

Boccia

2008 New Zealand National Championships

Congratulations to the Australian team that competed at the New Zealand National Championships in July 2008. John Richardson (c) Vic, Belinda Harris Qld, Corena Sheridan ACT won silver medals in the BC1/2 teams. They were defeated by NZ 2008 Paralympic team Maurice Toon, Liam Sanders, Jeremy Morris, Kerri Bonner. Gavin Thorneycroft (Vic), Cally Simpson (NSW) & Ange McReynolds (NSW) also won silver medals in the BC3 pairs. The BC1 placings were Liam Sanders (NZ) 1, Barry Fear (NSW) 2nd, John Richardson (Vic) 3rd.

Anyone interested in finding out more about boccia can visit our web site at www.boccia.com.au

NSW State Boccia League

NSW Boccia is seeking athletes with cerebral palsy to register for the 2008/09 State League.

Boccia is a Paralympics Sport designed for athletes with cerebral palsy, and the State League is an ideal way for experienced athletes to test their skills, and aspiring newcomers to experience a competitive sport.

Where: Games played at either State Sports Centre at Homebush, or Avalon
When: The 1st Round commences on 24th November concluding on 2nd March
How: All athletes must register with NSW Boccia, and registrations open from 18th August and close on the 29th September
Cost: Entry fee of $25

Pre season training camps will be held in October, all equipment will be provided. Your registration pack will include a rule book, manual, competition schedule and event t-shirt.

For more information phone 9907 2622, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our website www.bocciansw.info

Hand Cycling

The following upcoming events are inviting Handcyclists to be part of the action:

Ride 4 the Environment

The inaugural Ride 4 the Environment event in Victoria has been launched and registrations are open. The ride will take place over the weekend of 30-31 August 2008 and is an initiative of Sport 4 the Environment, which has been developed to create true environmental change and awareness (see website below).

The ride is set to take place on Victoria's beautiful Mornington Peninsula with two days of riding scheduled. Day 1 will have participants ride from Mornington to Sorrento and Day 2 will return and culminate in Mornington which will be transformed into a "Bike Town" with the main street closed and the party atmosphere as thousands enjoy a car free day in the centre of town. There are also one day and shorter options for you to enjoy. To register visit www.sport4theenvironment.com.au and click on the Ride 4 the Environment logo. Registrations close on 27 August 2008.

The Great Doherty Tour

The 2008 Great Doherty Tour - a 3 Stage Cycling Tour - will be held in Victoria from 15th - 16th November 2008. Rarely will you get a chance to compete in a 3 Stage Tour event like this, so if you're available jump on board and ride or come out for a look. This Tour conducted by Blackburn Cycling Club is an annual event, which would be an excellent event to tap into. If you have any questions or to enter, you can email Blackburn Cycling Club Great Doherty Tour on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Confirmed Events

2009 Oceania Para-cycling Track Championships - Adelaide 13-15 November 2008
2009 Australian Para-cycling Track Championships - Adelaide 3-8 February 2009
2009 Oceania Para-cycling Road Championships - Darwin 9-17 May 2009 (during Arafura Games)

Lawn Bowls

The 2008 WSA Lawn Bowls National Championships were held in Woy Woy on the NSW Central Coast from 21-28 July 2008. NSW retained the Interstate Trophy with the Clover-Lester Encouragement Award presented to Liam Buckley (South Australia) and the Graham Golley International Award presented to Cathy Vluggen (South Australia).

Full results are available from http://www.rnswba.org.au

Congratulations to the following athletes that have been selected in the Australian team to compete at the Tri Nations Test Series against South Korea and Malaysia in Adelaide from 29 September - 3 October 2008:

Wheelchair Sports Australia's Lawn Bowls Coach, Jan Palazzi, will coach the team.

Wheelchair Rugby

2008 Telstra NWRL Update

The third round and finals rounds of the 2008 Telstra National Wheelchair Rugby League were held in Melbourne on 11-13 July 2008. The NSW Gladiators were crowned the 2008 Champions after defeating Victorian Coloplast Thunder 52 to 47.

Congratulations to the following award winners for the 2008 season:

2008 Canada Cup and beyond

The Australian Steelers returned from the 2008 Canada Cup International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament with a fifth placing. The tournament was held from 27-29 June in Vancouver. Ryley Batt was named in the Tournament All-Star team after being the overall leading scorer with 97 goals and 13 penalties.

After returning from Canada, the Steelers continued their Paralympic preparations at the National camp held in August in Townsville. They will now head to Beijing for the "Big Dance."

Following the results of the 2008 Canada Cup International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament, Australia was ranked fifth as at 1 July 2008. As this event has taken place after the closing date for qualifications and seeding, changes on this list will not affect the pool assignments, draw or schedule for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.

Calendar of Events 2008 (*Subject to alterations)

Subject to alterations
A full Calendar of Events can be found at http://www.sports.org.au/calendar.html


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PO Box 4083 Homebush NSW 2140
Phone: + 61 2 8116 9720 Fax: + 61 2 8732 1633
ACN 104 461 814
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www.sports.org.au