Season Opener - WheelKings v Razorbacks
(article by Noel Rowsell for Northern District Times 21/5/08)
The Wenty Leagues Wheelkings begin their pursuit of the 2008 National Wheelchair Basketball League (NWBL) premiership title this Saturday at 11.30am, when they play their opening game against the West Sydney Razorbacks at the Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre (RALC).
These two teams are long-term, fierce rivals throughout their joint history in the NWBL and Saturday's game should be no exception.
Dutch Paralympian Koen Jansens has been lured out of retirement to play for the Wheelkings once more and will be well supported by a large number of Australian representatives and Paralympians.
Bill Latham, Jeremy Van Asperen and Craig Cannane have all been members of the Australian Men's squad (Rollers), whilst Kylie Gauci, Liesl Tesch and Tina McKenzie are all Paralympians and current members of the Australian Women's squad (Gliders).
The Razorbacks are led by Australian Male Paralympians Troy Sachs and Brendan Dowler, along with South African international Nick Taylor, and Australian female Paralympians Katie Hill and Sarah Stewart (both
current members of the Gliders squad).
The competing teams in 2008 will be the Brisbane Spinning Bullets (Qld), Mortgage Choice Adelaide Thunder (SA), Dandenong Rangers (Vic), Perth Wheelcats (WA), "Highlube" Wollongong Roller Hawks, Wheelkings and Razorbacks (NSW). The season runs through to August with this year's finals being played in Melbourne.
Photo courtesy of Noel Rowsell: Coach Hewson discusses tactics with Liesl Tesch
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