12 players have been selected to represent the U23 Spinners wheelchair team at the Asia-Oceania Championships in Bangkok, Thailand this November.
The team was chosen based on performances across tournaments and additional insights from the recent selection camp on the Sunshine Coast.
Head Coach, Brett Stibners OAM provided some insights on the selection process and road ahead.
“When constructing the team, the first thing we look at is combinations with our players classifications. Then we look for balance within these combinations,” said Stibners.
“We had to make some tough decisions because of the quality of the players that we had at camp. We could have gone a few different ways with the final 12 but I'm confident with the players that we have chosen. “
Stibners was impressed with the application from group and looks forward to the opportunity ahead.
“What stood out for me is the players eagerness to learn. They took on constructive feedback, sometimes criticism, and tried their best to make improvements on the court,” added Stibners.
“Japan will be strong competitors. Our focus will be on our capabilities and how we can play our best. Qualification for the World Cup is on offer, and this will be a valuable opportunity of experience for the group.”
The Spinners team features two of Australia’s most exciting upcomers Eithen Leard and Jaylen Brown who represented the Rollers earlier this year at the Paralympics.
There’s a strong contingent of athletes that starred at the National Junior Wheelchair Championships and nine making their national team debut. South Australian Cooper Spillane is a player to watch after leading the WA Black Ducks to a Championship title in April. Spillane was named Player of the Tournament in Moreton Bay.
Other standouts from the Nationals have been named, including other WA representatives Jordan Mouritz, Alex Blackmore and Weston Tedcastle, as well as Victorian captain Mitch Bond and Queenslander Zac Uhr.
| U23 Spinners Team – Asia Oceania Championships | |
| Alexander Blackmore (SA) | Rhys Higgins (VIC) |
| Mitchell Bond (VIC) | Eithen Leard (QLD) |
| Jaylen Brown (VIC) | Jordan Mouritz (WA) |
| Kane Downie (SA) | Cooper Spillane (SA) |
| Mitchell Duncan (QLD) | Weston Tedcastle (NT) |
| Jackson Gray (NSW) | Zac Uhr (QLD) |
