The state’s best up and coming wheelchair basketballers will descend on Wollongong this weekend with over 100 participants set to take the court ranging from the elite down to beginners playing in their first tournament at the 2025 Wheelchair Basketball Illawarra Festival.
The event which is co-delivered by Illawarra Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT, is one of the largest wheelchair basketball tournaments in Australia and will play out over three days at Illawarra Sports Stadium from Friday 31st October to 2nd November.
Friday night will hold the 3X3 division before the five on five action takes over on Saturday and Sunday with five divisions; Division 1 – National League level, Division 2 – Intermediate, Division 3 – Novice/Beginner, Women’s Division and Juniors Division.
Illawarra Wheelchair Basketball / Roller Hawks will field teams in Divisions 1, 2 and 3. Development coach Brian Gardner has been running extra sessions in the lead up to prepare the Division 3 team, which is filled with players taking part in their first tournament.
Basketball for All Ages and Abilities
Two weeks after an accident saw Matt Cassel have his foot amputated, he got in touch with the Roller Hawks to find out how to get involved in wheelchair basketball.
“I didn’t really have any expectations coming in. I didn’t know what to expect,” said Cassel.
It didn’t take long for the forty-two year old to settle in and was soon invited to be part of the Division 3 team for the festival. 
Illawarra development coach Brian Gardner opted to run extra sessions on a Tuesday to help prepare the players for their tournament debut.
“There’s quite a collection in this Division 3 team. They’re all newbies. None of them have played in an official game yet so this weekend will be their first,” said Gardner.
“Brian’s just been running us through various skills, learning how to play in a competitive environment better,” said Cassel.
“In the last couple of weeks I’ve gotten better in just about every aspect. A lot of shooting drills, a lot of defending drills, a lot of teamwork drills, learning how to get the ball down the court quicker.”
Gardner is excited to see them take the court this weekend.
“Running these additional sessions, it’s been purely drills based but running through those drills, it’s built their confidence and it’s been wonderful to see some of them progress.”
20 Year Anniversary
2025 marks the 20th Anniversary of the Wheelchair Basketball Illawarra Festival which began as the SLAM Down Under. The tournament has always strived to cater for all levels and sees participants from elite Paralympians down to players still new to the game. That inclusiveness has only increased with the addition of dedicated women’s and junior divisions to ensure people have the opportunity to match up against players of similar ability.
Registrations are closed but organisers are encouraging people of all abilities to come along as spectators, particularly those thinking of giving it a go themselves; from there they can follow up and attend a
beginner session in the future.
“Some of these people, the support workers have said to me, not in their wildest dreams would they have thought that the person they’re caring for would be game to get on court and play in a competitive game,” said Gardner.
“Everyone has to start somewhere. We’ve all started somewhere myself included. Some have started later in life, some are juniors. Don’t be afraid, don’t be shy.”
“The Thursday night beginner sessions are very much a fun social night, it’s really not competitive, it’s an introduction.”
2025 Wheelchair Basketball Illawarra Festival
Illawarra Sports Stadium, Berkeley
Friday 31st October (6:30pm-9:00pm): 3x3
Saturday 1st November (9:00am-3:30pm): 5vs5 - various divisions
Sunday 2nd November (9:30am-1:30pm): 5vs5 - various divisions including Finals