The Suncoast Spinners Wheelchair Sports Club will be hosting Australia’s largest invitational wheelchair basketball tournament, the Suncoast Spinners T25, this weekend.
Suncoast Spinners president and Paralympian, Bridie Kean said the Open Tournament would bring together players from across the country.
“Our T25 is unique because it brings together wheelchair basketball players from beginners to the elite including several Paralympians to the same tournament.
“This means that not only is there great competition across our premiere, A and B grades, but our beginners get the opportunity to see their heroes in action and spend time with them.
“This makes the T25 not just an important opportunity to compete but a great skills development opportunity for current and future athletes as we get closer to 2032.”
The Suncoast Spinners T25 will be held at Caloundra Indoor Stadium from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th January, with a record 22 teams competing across Premiere, A and B Grades.
Bridie said the T25 would be the largest, with the annual tournament growing in size and reputation since the club held its first one in 2007.
“We have clubs coming from as far north as Townsville and south to Coffs Harbour, with the premiere Auckland Wheelbreakers also travelling from New Zealand.”
The tournament for the not-for-profit club also brings together 19 referees and an army of volunteer scorers and admin staff to ensure everything runs smoothly.
“The competition was fierce, but it was the social aspect of everyone coming together is a highlight. With Paralympians and former-Paralympians playing in the same tournament alongside players with a disability and able-bodied players of all levels is part of what makes the Suncoast Spinners Tournament unique,” Bridie said.
The Suncoast Spinners Tournament, like the club’s social wheelchair basketball programs is open to people of all abilities as part of it’s reverse inclusion program. The tournament kicks off with a welcome on Friday 17th at 8am and will continue throughout the weekend, with the finals starting at midday on Sunday 19th. The event will conclude with presentations and closing ceremony at 3pm.
For more information visit the Suncoast Spinners website – suncoastspinners.com.au – or visit the club on Facebook @thespinners.
