Australia AU | |
---|---|
IWRF Ranking | 4 (2021) |
Coach | Brad Dubberley Nov 2006- |
Paralympic Games | |
Appearances | 7 |
Medals | Gold: 2012 2016 Silver: 2000 2008 Bronze: 2024 |
World Championships | |
Appearances | 8 |
Medals | Gold: 2014 2022 Silver: 2010 2018 Bronze: 2002 |
Australia national wheelchair rugby team represents Australia in international wheelchair rugby, is sport with national representation at the Paralympic Games. The Australian Team is known as the 'Steelers'. [1]
Australia has competed at every Paralympics Games since the sport gained full Paralympic Medal status at the 2000 Summer Paralympics. [2] The Steelers also competed in the 1996 Summer Paralympics where wheelchair rugby was a demonstration sport. [3] The 'Steelers' defeated Canada at the 2012 London Games to win its first gold medal. [4] In 2014, it won its first World Championship by defeating Canada. In winning the world championship, the Steelers became the second nation in history to hold both the Paralympic and world championship titles concurrently. [5]
Wheelchair Rugby Australia (WRA) established in 2022 is responsible for the development and growth of the sport of wheelchair rugby in Australia. [6] The sport is not included at the Special Olympics or the Deaflympics. [7]
The sport is one of the few contact sports available for wheelchair sport athletes and was originally known as "Murderball". [2] It was developed in Canada during the 1970s and made its way to Australia in 1981. [8]
The sport uses a volleyball for the ball and combines elements of basketball, soccer and ice hockey. The game is played on a basketball sized court. [9] Each team has four players on the court at any one time. [2] It has drawn large crowds at events such as the Paralympics.
Wheelchair Rugby is open to athletes with quadriplegia. [10] Athletes competing in wheelchair rugby are classified according to their ability. Players are classified using a points system starting at 0.5 for athletes with the least ability through to 3.5 for athletes with the most ability. [10]
A team can have four players on the court but must not exceed 8 classification points (the combined total of the player's individual classifications). [10]
Australia represented by:
Men – Brett Boylan (2.0), Garry Croker (1.0), Andrew Greenaway (1.5), Rodney Hamilton, David Jacka (0.5), Peter Lock (2.5), Steve Porter (2.5), Baden Whitehead (2.0) ; Coaches – Darryl Wingard (head coach)
. Wheelchair rugby was a demonstration sport at the 1996 Summer Paralympics. George Hucks was a member of the Australian team. During a practice in Atlanta prior to the start of the games, Hucks broke his kneecap. Hucks, from South Australia, was the team's best player. This was a major loss for the team. Hucks was flown home and another player was flown into Australia to replace him. Australia did not win a single match in wheelchair rugby. They lost to New Zealand 23–39, to Great Britain 33–34, to Canada 24–39, to the USA 18–31 and to Sweden 25–29. [11]
Wheelchair rugby at the 1996 Summer Paralympics for detailed results.
Australia represented by:
Men – Bryce Alman (2.0), Brett Boylan (2.0), Cliff Clarke, Garry Croker (1.0), Brad Dubberley (3.5), Nazim Erdem (0.5), Peter Harding, George Hucks (3.0), Tom Kennedy, Craig Parsons, Steve Porter (2.5), Patrick Ryan (2.5)
Coaches – Terry Vinyard (head coach), Glenn Stephens and Nicholas Bailey (Assistant Coaches) Officials – Kim Elwood (manager), David Bonavita, Wendy Poole
The team won the silver medal after losing to the World and Paralympic champions, United States by one point in the final. [12] [13] [14]
Wheelchair rugby at the 2000 Summer Paralympics for detailed results.
Australia represented by:
Men – Bryce Alman (2.0), Ryley Batt (3.5), Grant Boxall (2.5), Brett Boylan (2.0), Brad Dubberley (3.5), Nazim Erdem (0.5), George Hucks (3.0), Kevin Kersnovske (2.0), Steve Porter (2.5), Patrick Ryan (2.5), Ryan Scott (0.5), Scott Vitale (2.0)
Coaches – Terry Vinyard (head coach), Glenn Stephens (assistant coach) Officials – Kim Ellwood (manager), Robert Doidge, Maria Spiller
[15]
Australia finished 5th in the tournament.
Wheelchair rugby at the 2004 Summer Paralympics for detailed results.
Australia represented by:
Men – Bryce Alman (2.0), Ryley Batt (3.5), Grant Boxall (2.5), Shane Brand (1.5), Cameron Carr (2.0), Nazim Erdem (0.5), George Hucks (3.0), Steve Porter (2.5), Ryan Scott (0.5), Greg Smith (2.0), Scott Vitale (2.0)
Coaches – Brad Dubberley (head coach) Officials – Kim Ellwood (Section Manager), Rob Doidge, Noni Shelton, Angela Mansell [16]
Three of the team made their Paralympic debut and Steve Porter attended his fourth Games. The Steelers won the silver medal losing to the United States 53–44 in the final. [17]
Wheelchair rugby at the 2008 Summer Paralympics for detailed results.
Australia represented by:
Men - Nazim Erdem (0.5), Ryan Scott (0.5)(Co-captain), Jason Lees (1.0), Cameron Carr (2.0)(Co-captain), Andrew Harrison (2.0), Greg Smith (2.0), Cody Meakin (2.0), Josh Hose (3.0), Ben Newton (3.0), Ryley Batt (3.5), Chris Bond (3.5)
Coaches – Brad Dubberley (head coach); Officials - Paul Kiteley (Section Manager), Chevvy Cooper (Mechanic), Angela Mansell (Personal Care Assistant), Simon Mole (physiotherapist) [18]
Six players made their first Paralympic Games appearance: [19] Australia defeated Canada 66-51 to win their first Paralympics gold medal.
Wheelchair rugby at the 2012 Summer Paralympics for detailed results.
Australia represented by:
Men – Ryley Batt (3.5), Chris Bond (3.5), Cameron Carr (2.0), Andrew Edmondson (2.0) (d), Nazim Erdem (0.5), Ben Fawcett (0.5) (d), Andrew Harrison (2.0), Josh Hose (3.0), Jason Lees (1.0), Matt Lewis (3.5) (d), Ryan Scott (0.5) (captain), Jayden Warn (3.0)(d)
Coaches – Brad Dubberley (head coach); Greg Smith (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Officials - Sam Allan (Team Leader), Nick Sanders (performance analyst), William Roberts (Mechanic), Darren Pickering (Personal Care/Nurse), Scott Curtis (physiotherapist)
[20]
Australia defeated the United States 59-58 in double over time in the gold medal match. [21]
Wheelchair rugby at the 2016 Summer Paralympics for detailed results.
Australia represented by:
Men - * Ryley Batt (3.5), Chris Bond (3.5), Ben Fawcett (0.5), Andrew Harrison (2.0), Jake Howe (1.0) (d), Josh Hose (3.0), Jason Lees (1.0), Michael Ozanne (0.5) (d), Richard Voris (1.5) (d), Jayden Warn (3.0) Women - Shae Graham (2.5) (d)
Coaches – Brad Dubberley (coach); Greg Smith (assistant coach) ; Officials- Sam Allan (Team Leader), Lewis Quinn (Video Analyst), Alek Saunders (Mechanic), Brooke Cranney (physiotherapist), Emma Hall (Psychologist), David Sculac (Carer)
[22] Team lost to Japan in the Semi-final 42-49.
Wheelchair rugby at the 2020 Summer Paralympics for detailed results.
Australia qualified for 2024 Paralympic Games by winning the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Qualification Tournament in Wellington, New Zealand. [23]
Australia represented by:
Men - Ryley Batt (3.5), Chris Bond (3.5), Ben Fawcett (0.5), Brayden Foxley-Connolly (3.5) (d), Andrew Edmondson (2.0),Jake Howe (1.0), Josh Nicholson (2.0) (d), James McQuillan (0.5) (d), Beau Vernon (0.5) (d)
Women- Shae Graham (2.5), Emilie Miller (0.5) (d), Ella Sabljak (2.5) (d)
Coaches - Brad Dubberley (head coach) ; Greg Smith (assistant coach) ; Jason Lees (assistant coach) ; Sam Allan (team manager) [24]
Wheelchair rugby at the 2024 Summer Paralympics for detailed results.
(d) Paralympic Games wheelchair rugby debut
Australia represented by:
Men - Wayne Sweeney (0.5), David Jacka (0.5), Andrew Greenaway (1.5), Bruce Stark (1.5), Ian Simpson (2.0), Justin Lunn (2.0), Steve Porter (2.5), Peter Lock (2.5), George Hucks (3.0)
Coaches
Australia represented by:
Men - Cliff Clarke (0.5), Garry Croker (1.0), Ian Simpson (1.5), Bruce Stark (1.5), Brett Boylan (2.0), Dennis Miller (2.0), Craig Parsons (2.0), Steve Porter (2.5), George Hucks (3.0), Brad Dubberley (3.5)
Coaches - Darryl Wingard (head coach), David Bonavita (assistant coach)
Australia represented by:
Men - Ryan Scott (0.5), Nazim Erdem (0.5), Garry Croker (1.0), Peter Harding (1.5), Bryce Alman (2.0), Brett Boylan (2.0), Kevin Kersnovske (2.0), Grant Boxall (2.5), Steve Porter (2.5), Patrick Ryan (2.5), George Hucks (3.0), Brad Dubberley (3.5)
Coaches - Terry Vinyard (head coach), Glenn Stephens (assistant coach)
Officials - Kim Ellwood (team manager)
Australia represented by:
Men - Ryan Scott (0.5), Nazim Erdem (0.5), Gary Read (0.5), Bryce Alman (2.0), Kevin Kersnovske (2.0), Steve Porter (2.5), Grant Boxall (2.5), Patrick Ryan (2.5) George Hucks (3.0), Brad Dubberley (3.5), Ryley Batt (3.5)
Coaches - Evan Bennett (head coach), Brad Dubberley (assistant coach)
Officials - Kim Ellwood (manager)
Men – Nazim Erdem (0.5), Ryley Batt (3.5), Josh Hose (3.0), Jason Lees (1.0), Bryce Alman (2.0), Ryan Scott (0.5), Steve Porter (2.5), Cameron Carr 2.0, Andrew Harrison (2.0)
Coaches - Brad Dubberley (head coach), Greg Smith (assistant coach)
Officials - Kim Ellwood (team manager), Angela Mansell (Personal Care Assistant), Chevvy Cooper (Mechanic), Brett Robinson (Soft Tissue Therapist)
Australia represented by:
Men Nazim Erdem (0.5), Ryley Batt (3.5), Josh Hose (3.0), Jason Ellery (2.0), Michael Ozanne (0.5), Jason Lees (1.0), Chris Bond (3.5), Ryan Scott (0.5), Curtis Palmer (2.5), Cameron Carr (2.0), Jayden Warn (3.0)
Coaches - Brad Dubberley (head coach), Greg Smith (assistant coach)
Officials - Siobhan Crawshay (team manager), Elisha Gartner (Personal Care Assistant), Chevvy Cooper (Mechanic), Nick Sanders (performance analyst), Scott Curtis (physiotherapist)
Australia represented by: [26]
Men Ryley Batt (3.5), Chris Bond (3.5), Jayden Warn (3.0), Andrew Edmondson (3.0), Andrew Harrison (2.0), Josh Nicholson (2.0), Jason Lees (1.0), Jake Howe (1.0), Ben Fawcett (0.5), Michael Ozanne (0.5), Ryan Scott (0.5)
Coaches - Brad Dubberley (head coach), Greg Smith (assistant coach)
Officials - Sam Allan - Manager, Victoria Kahn - Physiotherapist, Lewis Quinn - Performance Analyst, Bill Roberts - Mechanic, Scott Curtis - Physiotherapist, David Sculac - Personal Carer, Angela Mansell - Personal Carer, Tim Mannion - Media
Australia represented by: [27]
Team - 3.5 – Ryley Batt (3.5), Chris Bond (3.5), Shae Graham (2.5*), Ella Sabljak (2.5 *), Andrew Edmondson (2.0), Josh Nicholson (2.0), Richard Voris (1.5), Jake Howe (1.0), Ben Fawcett (0.5), James McQuillan (0.5), Emilie Miller (0.5*), Michael Ozanne (0.5) * female athletes receive a 0.5 classification bonus
Coaches - Brad Dubberley (head coach)
Bradley John Ness, OAM is an Australian wheelchair basketballer. He won a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing and silver medals at 2004 Athens and 2012 London Paralympics. He was selected as the Australian flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. In December 2023, Ness was appointed the Head Coach of the Rollers - Australia men's national wheelchair basketball team.
Australia sent a delegation to compete at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing. The country sent 167 athletes in 13 sports and 122 officials. It was the country's largest ever Paralympic delegation to an away Games. The team sent to Beijing was described as the emergence of the new generation of Australian athletes with 56 percent of the team attending their first Paralympic Games. The delegation's chef de mission was Darren Peters.
The Australia men's national wheelchair basketball team is the men's wheelchair basketball side that represents Australia in international competitions. The team is known as the Rollers. Australia took the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games and 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.
Australia competed at the 2012 Summer Paralympics Games in London, United Kingdom, from 29 August to 9 September 2012. The London Games were the biggest Games with 164 nations participating, 19 more than in the 2008 Beijing Paralympic. Australia has participated at every Summer Paralympic Games and hosted the 2000 Sydney Games. As such, the 2000 Sydney Games, regarded as one of the more successful Games, became a point-of-reference and an inspiration in the development of the 2012 London Games.
The 1996 Summer Paralympics were held in the United States city of Atlanta. Australia competed in 13 of the 17 sports, winning medals in 10 of those sports. At the 1996 Summer Paralympics, Australia had the second highest medal tally of any country competing. It won 42 gold, 37 silver and 27 bronze medals. It surpassed the 24 gold medals that Australia won at the 1992 Paralympics. The sports of athletics, swimming and cycling provided Australia with the majority of its medals.
Australia competed at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, Greece. It was Australia's 12th year of participation at the Paralympics. The team included 151 athletes. Australian competitors won 101 medals to finish fifth in the gold medal table and second on the total medal table. Australia competed in 12 sports and won medals in 8 sports. The Chef de Mission was Paul Bird. The Australian team was smaller than the Sydney Games due to a strict selection policy related to the athletes' potential to win a medal and the International Paralympic Committee's decision to remove events for athletes with an intellectual disability from the Games due to issues of cheating at the Sydney Games. This was due to a cheating scandal with the Spanish intellectually disabled basketball team in the 2000 Summer Paralympics where it was later discovered that only two players actually had intellectual disabilities. The IPC decision resulted in leading Australian athletes such as Siobhan Paton and Lisa Llorens not being able to defend their Paralympic titles. The 2000 summer paralympic games hosted in Sydney Australia proved to be a milestone for the Australian team as they finished first on the medal tally for the first time in history. In comparing Australia's 2000 Paralympic performance and their 2004 performance, it is suggested that having a home advantage might affect performance.
The Australia women's national wheelchair basketball team is the women's wheelchair basketball side that represents Australia in international competitions. The team is known as the Gliders. The team hasn't won a gold medal for Australia since it began competing at the 1992 Summer Paralympics, however it has won either the silver or bronze medal since the 2000 Summer Paralympics held in Sydney. Gliders finished 6th at the 2014 Women's World Wheelchair Basketball Championship but did not qualify for the 2016 Summer Paralympics.
Jason Lees, is a wheelchair rugby player from Victoria and was a member of the Australian Steelers that won the gold medals at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Paralympics and competed at the 2020 Summer Paralympics.
Ryley Batt, is an Australian wheelchair rugby player. He has won two gold, one silver medal and one bronze medal at six Paralympic Games.
Gregory Stephen Smith, OAM is an Australian Paralympic athlete and wheelchair rugby player who won three gold medals in athletics at the 2000 Summer Paralympics, and a gold medal in wheelchair rugby at the 2012 Summer Paralympics, where he was the flag bearer at the opening ceremony.
Nazim Erdem, is an Australian wheelchair rugby Paralympic gold and silver medalist. He has won two gold and two silver medals at five Paralympics from 2000 to 2016.
Brad Dubberley is an Australian Paralympic wheelchair rugby Head Coach and former athlete. He won a silver medal as an athlete at the 2000 Sydney Games and was the head coach at the 2008 Beijing Games in the mixed wheelchair rugby event. He is the head coach of the Australian Wheelchair Rugby team known as the Australian Steelers.
Lisa Daniela "Danni" Di Toro is an Australian wheelchair tennis and para table tennis player. Di Toro was the 2010 French Open doubles champion and has also been the Masters double champion. In singles, Di Toro is the former world number one and two time masters finalist. In 2015, she moved to para-table tennis and represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, where she was team captain with Kurt Fearnley. At the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, her seventh Paralympics, she was the team captain and Opening Ceremony flag bearer with Ryley Batt. She has been selected to compete at her eight Paralympics in Paris.
Ryan Scott, is a Paralympic wheelchair rugby competitor from Australia. In four Paralympics, Scott has won a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics and gold medals at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Paralympics.
Cody Meakin, is a wheelchair rugby player. He was selected to represent Australia at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in wheelchair rugby.
Joshua Anthony "Josh" Hose, is a wheelchair rugby player. He has won gold medals at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Paralympics and competed at the 2020 Summer Paralympics.
Ben Newton, is a wheelchair rugby player. He was selected to represent Australia at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in wheelchair rugby.
Christopher Adam Bond is an Australian wheelchair rugby player. He has won gold medals at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Paralympics and a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
Andrew John Edmondson is an Australian wheelchair rugby player. He won a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics and a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
Australia participated at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan, from 24 August to 5 September 2021. It sent its largest away team - 179 athletes to a Summer Paralympics. Australia finished eighth on the gold medal table and sixth on the total medals table.
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