Aussie Men’s And Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Teams Set For Key Contests 

A showdown of four powerhouse wheelchair programs is headed to Canberra with Rollers vs World hosted at the Australian Institute of Sport from June 5 – 9. Meanwhile, Australia’s women’s team, the Gliders, are preparing for the 2026 IWBF Women’s Repechage Tournament in Madrid, Spain, their final opportunity to qualify for the World Championships in Ottawa this September. 

The Rollers men’s team will welcome Spain, Italy and Japan for a round robin tournament with every game to streamed LIVE viaBasketball Australia YouTube, delivered in partnership with the Wheelchair Basketball Association (WBA).  

The home series sets up an important window of competitive basketball for Head Coach Brad Ness and the Rollers men who have high aspirations for the IWBF World Championships in September. 

“We are utilising this tournament on a few fronts, one to give a few of the younger players more playing time to expose them to higher levels of competition, as well as seeing which of the players are ready to take the opportunity to cement their place in the final 12 leading into the World Cup come September,” Ness said. 

“This tournament gives us the coaches an opportunity to look into the future to see what the Rollers make up could possibly look like as we head towards to LA 2028.” 

The Rollers vs World series will provide a unique opportunity for some of the world’s best players and programs to compete in Australia.  

The Rollers regularly cross paths with Japan, another strong program in the IWBF Asia Oceania conference, and the inclusion of Italy and Spain will present an elite, global level of talent in the series.  

“It’s important having these elite international programs in Australia. It opens more opportunities to play the game at the highest level and showcase wheelchair basketball at the highest level,” Ness said. 

“This home series helps us gain exposure with how the world game is trending before we get to major tournaments like the world cup. It will be a fantastic opportunity to generate exposure and interest leading in Brisbane 2032.”  

“We’re hoping those adjustments will put us in the best possible position to achieve success in Madrid and secure a place at the World Championships in Canada this September.” 

While the men’s team prepares for their tournament, the Gliders Australian women’s wheelchair basketball team has locked in a full-strength roster for the 2026 IWBF Women’s Repechage Tournament in Madrid, Spain, as they seek qualification for the World Championships in September. 

Continuing to build under Head Coach Jeremy Synot, the Gliders will head to Madrid for the Repechage Tournament from June 8–11, where eight nations will compete for the final four qualification spots at the World Championships in Canada. 

Synot said the group had continued to evolve on and off the court. 

“We had a really productive camp in May which played a key role in our selection process,” Synot said.  

“The athletes have done a great job in their home programs with their DPE (daily performance environment) coaches and were able to showcase the improvements they’ve made since the Osaka Cup in February. 

“We’ve also worked really hard off the court, reconnecting with our purpose as a group and reinforcing our goals and vision moving forward.” 

The team will also welcome back Hannah Dodd, Laura Davoli and Isabel Martin following their overseas commitments. 

Dodd has been competing professionally in Germany, while Davoli and Martin have been continuing their college careers in the United States at the University of Texas Arlington and the University of Alabama respectively. 

Synot said the return of the trio would provide a major boost heading into Madrid. 

“Having three players of their calibre return to the group is a huge boost for us,” he said.  

“Isabel and Hannah are both Paralympians, so having athletes with that level of experience and capability will really complement our playing style and strengthen the group overall. 

“Laura is coming off a successful first season in the US college system and went from strength to strength throughout last year’s WNWBL season. She’ll be a significant addition for us on both ends of the floor.” 

The Gliders will come together for one final preparation camp this week before departing for Spain. 

Synot said the final block of preparation would be critical ahead of the Repechage. 

“It’ll be the first time we’ve had the entire group together since AOZ in 2025 and it gives us a valuable opportunity to fine-tune and work through our adjusted offensive and defensive structures,” he said. 

“We’re hoping those adjustments will put us in the best possible position to achieve success in Madrid and secure a place at the World Championships in Canada this September.” 

The Gliders’ team:

The Rollers’ team:

By Basketball Australia.

Published 3 June, 2026.