Rollers Set for Shot at Redemption

The Australian men’s wheelchair basketball team will have a shot at the nation that denied it Paralympic glory four years ago in London after they were this week drawn in Group A alongside reigning champion Canada at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.

Australia saw a one point half time lead overturned in the gold medal match against Canada in 2012, eventually losing 64-58.

The Rollers have since reclaimed the world number one ranking after winning the 2014 World Championship title in South Korea, but it’s a Paralympic crown that would signify a completed shot at redemption.

The Australians will also face a grudge match with Turkey in Rio, with matches between the two countries often heated affairs.

Australia accounted for Turkey in their Paralympic group stage at the London Games (71-64) but more recently had to produce an incredible victory in their world championship success, after over-coming a 20 point half time deficit in their semi-final.

The team captained by WAIS athlete Brad Ness went onto to outscore their bitter rivals by 25 points in the second half to secure a memorable 63-58 win.

The Rollers’ Group A fixtures will also pit them against Spain, the Netherlands and Japan.

Hosts Brazil will go head to head with tournament heavyweights USA and Great Britain, with the latter two likely candidates to face Australia deeper into the tournament.

The Australian team is led by Paralympic and World Championship winning coach Ben Ettridge, whilst Brad Ness is joined in the current extended squad by fellow WAIS scholarship athletes Shaun Norris and Adam Deans.

Ness is aiming for a fifth Paralympic campaign, Norris is a triple Paralympian, whilst Deans is eyeing a Paralympic debut.