Sport
10 February, 2026
Gaining new skills through wheelchair basketball
Looking for a new sporting skill or something to occupy your time that is fulfilling and worthwhile? Then look no further than the sport of wheelchair basketball.
Looking for a new sporting skill or something to occupy your time that is fulfilling and worthwhile?
Then look no further than the sport of wheelchair basketball.
Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT and the PCYC in Mittagong is hosting what will be known as the Mittagong Tigers Wheelchair Basketball side every Friday night from 5pm – 6:30pm during school terms at the Mittagong PCYC.
There is free weekly training on offer, as well as coaching and equipment provided (including the wheelchairs, which can be adjusted to your body shape and fit), and all ages and experiences are welcome to come and try it out.
Development Group Leader for the Illawarra Rollerhawks, Brian Gardner told The Southern Wire that wheelchair basketball is a sport that appeals to everyone, whether they have a disability or are able-bodied.
“We encourage family members and carers to have a go. It provides them opportunities to play something together with their disabled cohorts,” he said.
“This is all set up by Wheelchair NSW/ACT and the chairs are supplied by them too.
“Participation is entirely free, and there are a variety of chair sizes, and we can cater as closely as we can for those who show up and are interested. The chair sizes do vary not only in size, but layout to cater for the person’s level of disability.
“For instance, for someone who is more able-bodied, they can sit in a fairly high, level sort of a chair, whereas there are more ‘low-point’ chairs for people with a higher level of disability, so they may not have as much core function and control, and so tend to sit lower with their knees higher, and more secure in the chair with a higher backrest to help compensate for that lack of core control.”
Mr Gardner did explain that to ensure that everyone is covered for on-court injury insurance they must become a member of Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT (WSNSWACT).
“This membership of Wheelchair Sports NSW is also free, and their long-term goal is that any participant doesn’t have to travel more than one hour to participate in wheelchair sport,” he said.
But it’s not just basketball that WSNSW covers. Mr. Gardner explained that there were upwards of nine other wheelchair-competitive sports on offer, including Wheelchair AFL, Wheelchair Rugby (league and union), tennis, para-athletics, and even the ‘Royal Rehab Group Oz Day 10k - the Great Australian Wheelchair Race’.
“For the wheelchair basketball, there are a heap of sides from the small kids right up to the ‘well-drilled’ teams, with 24 clubs across NSW,” he said.
“This is also a potential catchment here in Mittagong for further leagues and even the potential to compete in the Nationals if we can build something.
Ultimately, it’s all about developing and giving people opportunities to thrive.”
For more information, contact Brian on 0437 689 448, email him at briangardner_b1@yahoo.com.au, or visit the Roller Hawks website at www.rollerhawks.com.au.
The Mittagong PCYC sports hall is located behind the Highlands Golf Club, tennis courts and Community Rugby Oval at 6 Hawkins Dr, Mittagong.
And to register for the Mittagong Tigers Wheelchair Basketball side, contact WSNSW Sports Coordinator Marta Myhill on 0408 358 605 or email Martam@wsnsw.org.au.
You can also visit the WSNSW website at www.wsnsw.org.au.
Read More: Southern Highlands, Wollondilly, Mittagong, Southern Tablelands