Amanda Carter is one of the great comeback stories of the Australian women’s wheelchair basketball team. At the Sydney 2000 Games, Amanda ruptured a tendon off her elbow against fierce rivals Canada. Knocked onto her right side, Amanda’s arm became trapped under her wheelchair, leaving the Dandenong Rangers star requiring an elbow reconstruction.

From the country town of Horsham in Victoria to the heights of American basketball, Jannik Blair is a star in the making.

Since first playing wheelchair basketball in 2005, Jannik plays for the Dandenong Rangers in the National Wheelchair Basketball League, where his impressive form as a one-pointer caught the interest of Australian men’s wheelchair basketball coach Ben Ettridge. He soon made his Australian debut in 2009 Asia Oceania Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Dandenong, which he considers one of his proudest moments.

Like many of his teammates, Nick Taylor competed at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. But unlike members of the gold medal winning Australian team, he did not win a gold medal, instead playing for his native South Africa.

Having left South Africa and become an Australian citizen, Nick was picked up by Australian Rollers coach Ben Ettridge and put into the Australian wheelchair basketball program.

After losing his leg at the age of nine to cancer and then losing a lung at 11, Tristan Knowles has carved out a decorated wheelchair basketball career in Australia and abroad.

Describing himself as determined, approachable and cheeky, Tige Simmons believes in living life to the full. When not working as a marketing coordinator for Tourism Queensland, Tige definitely enjoys the outdoors. He enjoys tennis, music, sit down water-skiing and trick water-skiing, for which he has won a gold medal at the Australian National Titles.

Shaun Norris may appear to be a charming baby-faced individual. But underneath his relaxed demeanor is a driven athlete determined to succeed.

After a car accident resulted in paraplegia when he was four, Shaun has enjoyed an illustrious career as a member of the Australian men’s wheelchair basketball team. After losing the spot on the gold medal podium to Canada in 2004, Shaun was determined not to repeat history in Beijing. The Australian team pushed themselves hard in Beijing and won gold, defeating Canada 72-60.

Describing himself as tenacious, energetic and impulsive, Michael Hartnett believes it is his aggression on the court that sets him apart from others. He sets a high standard for himself, describing his lowest sporting moments as those when he knows he could have done better.

A strong competitor and motivator, Grant Mizens was an essential element to the Rollers’ continuing success. When a car accident in 1994 left the then 16-year-old Grant a paraplegic, he used the support of family and friends to move past his accident and start a new direction in life.

Brett Stibners, or “Sticky” as his friends call him, is a hard working athlete and was a vital asset to the Australian men’s wheelchair basketball team.

As a very talented able bodied sportsman, Brett played indoor hockey for Australia at both under 21 and senior level. As a 21-year-old, Brett was driving home after working all night while completing an apprenticeship when he fell asleep at the wheel and crashed. He had his left leg amputated as a result of the accident.

Named three times in the Women’s National Wheelchair Basketball League All Star Five (2004, 2006 and 2007) and having already played over 100 games for the Gliders, Tina McKenzie was a world-class wheelchair basketballer. In 2000, she was a reserve player for the Australian Paralympic Team, and then in 2002, won bronze with her team at the World Cup.