JUNIOR WHEELCHAIR

The National Junior Wheelchair Championships Program provides South Australian junior wheelchair basketball athletes with the opportunity to develop their game, train in a performance environment and compete for South Australia on the national stage.

The program forms an important part of the wheelchair basketball pathway, giving emerging athletes the opportunity to represent their state and continue their development towards future national and international opportunities.

What is the Junior Wheelchair Nationals?

The National Junior Wheelchair Championships (NJWC) are Basketball Australia’s premier national championship for junior wheelchair basketball athletes.

Formerly known as the Kevin Coombs Cup, the Championships bring together teams from across Australia, with athletes representing their state or territory. Teams continue to compete for the Kevin Coombs Cup Trophy.

The Championships are the only opportunity for junior wheelchair basketball athletes to represent their state at a National Championship.

The age groups align with international junior wheelchair basketball competition, with Under-23 competition for males and Under-25 competition for females.

Do I qualify for the Ivor Burge squad?

Basketball South Australia selects athletes to represent South Australia at the National Junior Wheelchair Championships.

The program provides selected athletes with the opportunity to train and compete in a state team environment while continuing their development within the wheelchair basketball pathway.

For the 2027 South Australian program, Basketball SA is seeking expressions of interest from:

  • Male athletes aged 12–23
  • Female athletes aged 12–25

Final eligibility for the National Junior Wheelchair Championships is subject to Basketball Australia competition and classification requirements.


2027 Player Trials

Trials for athletes interested in representing South Australia at the 2027 National Junior Wheelchair Championships will be held on:

Wednesday 23 September 2026

Further information regarding the trial, training program and team selection process will be provided to athletes who submit an Expression of Interest.

EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST

If you have any questions or need help completing the form, then please contact Lucinda Bueti via email, lbueti@basketballsa.com.au.

History Made in 2025

South Australia made history in 2025, sending its first-ever team to the National Junior Wheelchair Championships.

 

The inaugural South Australian team travelled to Queensland for the 2025 Foot Locker National Junior Wheelchair Championships, marking an important milestone for wheelchair basketball in our state.

 

But the team didn’t just make history by competing — they came home National Champions.

 

After progressing through the tournament, South Australia faced Queensland in the Gold Medal Game. Having suffered their only loss of the tournament against Queensland earlier in the week, SA responded when it mattered most, producing an outstanding performance to claim an 86–51 victory.

Led by Head Coach David Gould and Team Manager Lucinda Bueti, the historic squad included:

  • Hayden Lea
  • Cooper Spillane
  • Ellie McInerney
  • Alexander Blackmore
  • Katelin Gunn
  • Brooke Joppich
  • Kane Downie
  • Isobella Nitschke
 

The achievement marked an incredible first chapter for South Australia at the National Junior Wheelchair Championships and an important step in the continued growth of the wheelchair basketball pathway in our state.

Basketball South Australia News

Basketball SA Head Office

Building 3, Level 1
32-56 Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Mile End SA 5031.

Phone: (08) 7088 0070

Postal Address: PO Box 2080 Hilton Plaza, SA, 5033