Back To NewsFollowing a successful camp at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence earlier this month, the Australian Rollers have named a team to tour Great Britain for the 2016 Continental Clash from July 2-5.
The reduced list of 14 athletes heading to Leicester will form the core of the Rollers team and from this tournament, the final team for the Rio Paralympics in September will be chosen.
The player selections for this tour were described by Rollers coach Ben Ettridge as the most difficult the coaching staff had performed in years with the entire squad playing at an exceptional level at the first camp.
“We had a great week at the Centre of Excellence,” said Ettridge.
“The boys were all in excellent shape and playing some great ball. Without doubt, the work they are doing is paying off and I am very proud of all of them.
“As far as selection goes, the boys who missed out on this tour did everything they could to push for selection and at the end of the day, we have selected the best 14 guys to take on the teams at the Continental Clash.”
The Rollers will fly to Great Britain on June 27 before they compete against Japan, USA, Netherlands and 2012 gold medallists Canada.
“The tour of Great Britain will give us the international competition we need to prepare for Rio,” said Ettridge.
Australia’s full schedule can be found below with all times AEST:
Saturday July 2: Australia v Japan at 9:00pm
Sunday July 3: Australia v Great Britain at 4:45am
Sunday July 3: Australia v Netherlands at 9:00pm
Monday July 4: Australia v USA at 9:00pm
Tuesday July 5: Australia v Canada at 6:45pm
The Australian Rollers team for the 2016 Continental Clash in Leicester, Great Britain:
Josh Allison Kilsyth Cobras | VIS
Michael Auprince Wollongong Rollerhawks | NSWIS
Jannik Blair Red Dust Heelers | VIS
Adam Deans Red Dust Heelers | WAIS
Tristan Knowles Kilsyth Cobras | VIS
Bill Latham Queensland Spinning Bullets | QAS
Matt McShane Queensland Spinning Bullets | QAS
Brad Ness Red Dust Heelers | WAIS
Shaun Norris Perth Wheelcats | WAIS
Tom O’Neill-Thorne Queensland Spinning Bullets | QAS
Shawn Russell Kilsyth Cobras | VIS
Tige Simmons Queensland Spinning Bullets | QAS
Brett Stibners Wollongong Rollerhawks | NSWIS
Sam White Wollongong Rollerhawks | SASI
Australian Rollers Men Tour staff
Head Coach Ben Ettridge
Assistant Coaches Luke Brennan
Technical Assistant Jeremy Synot
Physiotherapist Jesse Adams
National Program Manager Leigh Gooding
