Emerging Rollers named for 2025 Kitakyushu Champions' Cup

Basketball Australia is pleased to announce the Emerging Rollers men’s wheelchair basketball team selected to represent Australia at the Kitakyushu Champions Cup, held from 7–9 November 2025 in Kitakyushu, Japan.

Now in its 22nd year, the Kitakyushu Champions’ Cup is recognised for its role in strengthening development pathways for emerging wheelchair basketball athletes. The event will feature some of the world’s best pathway talent, with three national teams and eight Japanese club sides competing across three days of elite competition.

The Emerging Rollers will open their campaign with a friendly against Japanese club side Kinki, before facing powerhouse nations Japan and the Netherlands across two days of group play.

For this next generation of Rollers, the tournament provides a crucial step in Australia’s high-performance pathway, offering valuable international experience against some of the world’s best.

Head Coach Jamie O’Loughlin said the event represents an opportunity for both current and future stars of the program to test themselves against strong international talent.

“This event is a great opportunity for our program on several levels,” O’Loughlin said.

“The Kitakyushu Champions’ Cup provides a wonderful opportunity for athletes to gain international experience, adapt to travel and competition demands, and it will be a great litmus test for where we are at, at this point in time.”

Blending youth with experience, O’Loughlin said the group reflects the future of the Rollers program and the depth of talent rising through Australia’s wheelchair basketball pathway.

“Speed and length across a range of positions are two key strengths, and both are critical as they impact our performance at both ends of the floor,” he said.

“We also have several players with the potential to develop into elite shooters.”

“We have some senior players who are fighting for a place in next year’s team for the Under-23 World Cup, and a group of emerging players who have the potential to form part of the squad for the 2028 Paralympics and beyond.”

Beyond the court, the team will also take part in school visits and community activities throughout Kitakyushu — something O’Loughlin considers central to the athletes’ broader development.

“It’s one of the unique aspects of this event and something we view as highly important,” he said.

“There’s an element of giving back and inspiring the next generation, but it also helps our players grow through the experience of community engagement.”

O’Loughlin also praised Japan’s ongoing commitment to the growth of wheelchair basketball, crediting the legacy of Tokyo 2020 and the nation’s continued investment in accessibility and inclusion.

“Japan has been incredibly active in providing opportunities for wheelchair basketball,” he said.“The Tokyo 2020 Strategic plan and Mobility for all initiative improved infrastructure and visibility, and the JWBF have carried on their work in conjunction with partners like the Kitakyushu City Government for events like this.”

All games will be livestreamed from Kitakyushu between 7–9 November, with fixtures and results available via the event’s YouTube channel and the Rollers’ Instagram.

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