The opening round of the 2010 National Wheelchair Basketball League (NWBL) season commences this weekend and with the World Wheelchair Basketball Campionships just over a month away competition expected to be as fierce as ever.

Two rounds of the League will be played prior to the Rollers and the Gliders heading to Birmingham.

The first round sees six of the seven teams involved in double headers with the defending champions, the Perth WheelCats, having a bye.

Some significant changes in the off season include:

• The departure of Perth coach Ben Ettridge to concentrate on his National Team duties. He has been replaced as coach by his former assistant Lee Nott with former Rollers manager Kelvin Browner joining the coaching staff. There appears to be no end of talent available to the team from the west.
  
• The Adelaide Thunder return with essentially the same young lineup - albeit a more experienced group following the 2009 season. Hopefully they can keep their GB import fit and healthy for the duration of the season.
  
• The Victorian Dandenong Rangers also appear to be consolidating their 2009 squad. The return of local girl and Glider's captain Tina McKenzie will only strengthen the lineup. This weekend's clash with the Razorbacks is already shaping up as a crucial encounter.
  
• The Sydney Razorbacks will certainly miss two key members of the 2009 squad with Troy Sachs not suiting up for season 2010 and Rollers Representative Grant Mizens heading south to join the RollerHawks. The inclusion of South African big man Richard Nortje will ensure that the Razorbacks will be a force in season 2010.
  
• The team from Wollongong are once again shaping up as a real title threat as they strengthen their 2009 team with the inclusion of Roller's members Grant Mizens (Sydney), Jeremy Doyle (Wenty) and the return of Canadian import Yvon Rouliard. The Illawarra squad certainly has the talent to really take it to the boys from Perth.
• The WheelKings are certainly rolling out with a very different looking squad to last year's grand final team. Gone from that team are Jonathon Simon (retired), Bill Latham (Brisbane), Jeremy Doyle (Wollongong) and Tina McKenzie (Dandenong). The availability of Jeremy Van Asperen is also in question depending on his work commitments. Though listed in their team listing there is a question mark as to whether Koen Jansens will be suiting up for 2010.
  
• 2010 sees the Spinning Bullets hitting the floor with a strong looking team. The inclusion of Roller's young gun Bill Latham (Sydney) and Spanish import Agustin Alonso adds such much needed "Bigs" to the Spinning Bullets lineup. 2010 also see the return of the skilled former Bullet Jace Clare. Brisbane could well prove to a tough matchup for all clubs this year and coach Kyle is quietly confident of success.