There has been a lot of changes with the WheelKings in the lead up to the NWBL season - a new home venue, many new and much-appreciated player sponsors, 5 new players including 3 juniors, a new import in Great Britain's triple Paralympian Jon Pollock, and a successful new membership program. Wenty Leagues is warmly welcomed back onboard as our major sponsor, a role they've proudly chosen since 2002.  Everyone involved with the team is excited about the upcoming season and nothing short of a playoffs berth and a tilt at the title will suffice.

However, there's plenty of basketball to be played before the September finals and the opener sees the WheelKings pitted against last year's  grand finalists, Wollongong. Wenty has a core that looks terrific on paper but this game will be a solid test of where they are competitively. The Roller Hawks feature 2 members of the Beijing Paralympics gold medal-winning Rollers, Tristan Knowles and Brett Stibners. Knowles had a standout game against Wenty a year ago when he scored 47 points, pulled in 15 rebounds and handed out 15 assists. It's fair to say he's an even better player now so the WheelKings perimeter defence will have plenty of work to do. Stibners can also shoot from range but adds a solid inside game to his arsenal. Another player to watch is their new import Yvon Rouilliard. The 37 year old was a Beijing siver medallist with the Canadian team which automatically means he's good but it will be interesting to see if he can fit in with the Hawks rotation, especially at the scoring end.

The WheelKings aren't short of talent either. Bill Latham and Jeremy Doyle have just returned from England where they won gold with the Rollers (alongside Knowles and Stibners) in the Paralympic World Cup. Jon Pollock captained his Great Britain team to the bronze medal over the USA in Beijing. Koen Jansens is a few years retired from starring in The Netherlands national team but is in great shape. Kylie Gauci is a dual Paralympian and the spearhead of the Australian Gliders , her lightening speed carving up the predominately men's NWBL.

Overall, this will be a hard-fought and fascinating contest, and a very rare opportunity to see players from all 3 men's medal-winning teams from the Beijing Paralympics go head-to-head. Enjoy!

Game time: 4.30pm Saturday 30th May

At: Auburn Basketball Centre, Church St, Lidcome (turn right into the access road at the end of the street)

Phone: 96463840