This month sees the return of Australia’s biggest wheelchair basketball tournament to the Illawarra and South Coast – the Top End Slam Down Under.
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This year’s Top End Slam Down Under will attract an extensive draw across four divisions of competitive and social wheelchair basketball, including the Masters division.
The 40 years plus division is designed to celebrate the wheelchair sporting achievements and many national and international careers of seasoned Wheelchair Sports NSW athletes, and the contributions many of them have made to the development of the sport.
Wheelchair Sports NSW life member and tournament organiser Eino Okkonen said as well as the competition, the focus of the tournament was also on the players enjoying themselves.
We play for two days from 9am until about 1pm, then do a barbecue lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon telling each other how good we were!
- Eino Okkonen
“The Masters is a great opportunity for older players to be a bit competitive, but mostly have a great time together catching up with each other,” Mr Okkonen said.
“We play for two days from 9am until about 1pm, then do a barbecue lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon telling each other how good we were!”
With the support of Kiama Municipal Council, the Top End Slam Down Under Masters is on at Kiama Leisure Centre on Wednesday, October 18 and Thursday, October 19. Entry for spectators is free of charge.
Todd Parker, regional sports development officer for Wheelchair Sports NSW, said wheelchair sport had a range of benefits for competitors.
“We are a charitable organisation, responsible for the development, promotion and delivery of wheelchair sport in NSW and the ACT,” Mr Parker said.
“Our work is designed to enrich the lives of people with a physical disability and the Top End Slam Down Under Masters certainly fits that aim.
“Wheelchair sport provides individuals with a range of benefits from increased physical activity and improved health, to increased self-esteem, confidence, social skills and a sense of camaraderie,” he said.
Masters: October 18 – 19, at Kiama Leisure Centre. Slam Down Under: October 21 – 22, at Shellharbour City Stadium.
For information contact Wheelchair Sports NSW at 02 9809 5260 or visit www.wsnsw.org.au.