The Just Better Care Wollongong Roller Hawks are excited to announce two new players for the 2025 roster with the addition of development players Ethan Hallak and Brian Gardner.
Hallak recently captained New South Wales to bronze at the National Junior Wheelchair Championships and has been travelling from his base in Sydney to Roller Hawks training since March to progress his basketball career.
“My short time playing with them has been a great experience, and I thought I could gain some knowledge of how fast paced the National League is by playing with the guys,” said Hallak.
“I think it’ll be a really good learning experience for me to see what I need to improve on, and what I have gotten better at. I am also really excited to play with the guys at Roller Hawks as I believe I have adapted quite easily to their playing style.”
“I’ve been playing wheelchair basketball ever since I tried it out in 2018 at Kevin Betts Stadium, which are still sessions I love attending and helping Josh Meoli run with the juniors.”
“Since then I have fallen in love with the sport, the players surrounding the sport. Along the journey I have been committed to also playing in the Aussie camps I have been invited to. My playing career is still young, and I hope that with the level of commitment I’ve put in, I can represent Australia.”
His time in the NSW squad helped him cross paths with new Roller Hawks coach Brett Stibners.
“Brett Stibners has been a great coach to play under. I enjoy Sticky’s company as he teaches me a lot, breaks down the game-plan well, and if I need further assistance because I don’t know a certain drill, he explains it to me in a way I’d understand.”
Brian Gardner needs no introduction to those who have been around the Roller Hawks in recent years. In addition to being a player, Gardner is the club’s Junior Development Officer, Grants Manager and wheelchair mechanic to name just a few.
He took up the sport after an accident, but a brain injury made it hard for him to contribute on court. 
“I was pretty much a headless chicken out there and still incapable of communicating or following any kind of game plan. A medication change made a huge difference and within a short period I became capable of learning and communicating. Six months further on I was invited to have a roll with the Roller Hawks due to my fitness from handcycling and work ethic,” said Gardner
“It has been a very long learning curve for me and I am still learning and re-learning. But I absolutely love it. I have no delusions of grandeur that I'm as good as the rest of the team, but I play my part and always put in 100% - even when I'm having an off day.”
Gardner quickly stuck his hand up to go from fringe player to being part of the national league squad that when WBA announced there would be a 3X3 division specifically aimed at developing players.
“Anyone who plays with me soon realises that I play better with the lower number of people on court. It is less for my brain to process. So 3X3 is a better game for me in that aspect. I love the intensity of it. There is nowhere to hide or take a moment. It's quite thrilling. You absolutely can't just get carried by a good team - you must contribute and play your part.”
The 3X3 Division will play two games per round, with games scheduled an hour before a main game. With many players on the Roller Hawks roster established national league players, 3X3 will be the perfect avenue for players like Hallak and Gardner to build their skills.
“In 3X3 you have to possess the fundamentals of working with your team. There is more space/gaps to work with to develop the basic skills of pick-and-rolls for example. Everyone tends to get more experience with the ball too. These fundamentals are very good for any new player of any age to learn.”