Pearls & Boomerangs teams for World Champs Announced

Basketball Australia is announcing the Pearls & Boomerangs teams for the 2025 Virtus World Championships, which will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan from June 12th to 24th. 

The Virtus Global Games are held once every four years and sees competitors from up to 80 nations participating in multiple sports. Virtus is the recognised International Organisation of Sport for People with a Disability (IOSD) and is a full member of the International Paralympic Committee representing intellectual disability 

The Pearls last competed at the 6th Global Games which was in France. The Pearls entered two teams who both performed admirably with Pearls Gold taking home the silver medal and Pearls Green taking home the bronze. Similarly in the 1st Virtus Oceania Asia Games in 2022 the Pearls secured Gold, Silver and Bronze in Brisbane. 

The Boomerangs have followed a similar trajectory of success, clinching gold at both the 2023 Virtus Global Games in France and the 2022 Virtus Oceania Asia Games in Brisbane. 

The Pearls and Boomerangs teams feature a combination of seasoned athletes returning to the international stage alongside emerging players making their debut, forming a balanced group full of experience and fresh energy ready to take the court. 

Seven players from the Pearls that competed at the 2023 Virtus Global Games in France will return. These players are Brittany Anderson, Taylor Anderson, Jessica McCulloch, Jasmin Funnell, Madilyn Janssen, Evangeline Patterson, and Mackenzie Wills. 

Following the 2023 Games, several Boomerangs players retired, leaving behind a strong legacy for the next group of athletes. 

Returning Boomerangs from the 2023 team include Zachary Georg-Dent, Keenan Georg-Dent, Jack Inella, Matthew Farrar, and Jack De La Motte. 

Pearls & Boomerangs Fundraising Drive

The Pearls will be conducting a lengthy fund-raising program. You can support these amazing Aussie women – as every dollar donated will help us on the road to Kazakhstan.  (Please include the word “Pearls” to the donation comment so that your funds are correctly allocated to our program).  Information on the donation campaign can be accessed here.

The Boomerangs are raising funds to support their journey to Kazakhstan. Contributions will directly contribute to the campaign–access here.