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The Australian Gliders will get together for their first tournament of 2018 at the Osaka Cup this week as they continue to build towards the IWBF World Championships in August.
Finishing second at the AOZ qualifiers late last year, the Gliders are now one of 12 teams that will compete for the World Championship from August 16-26 and they will use the Osaka Cup as a tune-up for that tournament.
Taking on host nation Japan as well as the Netherlands and Great Britain who will also compete at the World Champs, the Osaka Cup runs from February 15-17 with each team playing three games in a round robin format before the medal games are held on the final of competition.
Continuing their rebuilding journey under coach David Gould after missing out on a spot at the Rio Paralympic Games, the likes of Cobi Crispin, Amber Merritt and Clare Nott showed they are nearing their peak form at the AOZ qualifiers.
They will also assist the new support crew rising through the ranks with young bigs Georgia Munro-Cook and Annabelle Lindsay growing in stature while low-pointers Sarah Vinci, Hannah Dodd and Ella Sabljak have an opportunity to stake their claim for the World Championships.
The key for Australia is to find the right mix of mid-pointers to complement the high and low-pointers and the Osaka Cup will give the coaching staff a greater understanding of what they need to get back on the international podium.
“This is a crucial week for the Gliders heading into the World Championships in August,” said National Wheelchair Program Manager, Leigh Gooding.
“The Osaka Cup provides a big opportunity for those athletes selected to possibly stamp their influence on the group as well as the coaches before they make their final selections later this year.”
Keep up to date with the Gliders’ progress via Basketball Australia’s social media channels as well as through the official website here.
Australia’s Schedule for the Osaka Cup (all times AEDT):
February 15: Gliders vs. Japan at 12.30pm
February 16: Gliders vs. Netherlands at 12pm
February 16: Gliders vs. Great Britain at 3.30pm
February 17: Medal Games
The Australian Gliders Team for the 2018 Osaka Cup:
| NAME | CLASS |
| Shelley Chaplin | 3.5 |
| Cobi Crispin | 1.0 |
| Shelley Cronau | 2.5 |
| Leanne Del Toso | 3.5 |
| Hannah Dodd | 4.0 |
| Georgia Inglis | 2.5 |
| Annabelle Lindsay | 4.5 |
| Bree Mellberg | 3.5 |
| Amber Merritt | 4.5 |
| Georgia Munro-Cook | 4.5 |
| Ella Sabljak | 1.0 |
| Sarah Vinci | 1.0 |
| STAFF | |
| David Gould | Head Coach |
| Stephen Charlton | Assistant Coach |
| Craig Campbell | Assistant Coach |
| Cathy Lambert | Manager |
| Anna Rich | Physio |
| Sarah Graham | Development Coach |
By Basketball Australia
Posted: 13/2/2018
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