6 Vics in Gliders Team for Japan

 

Six Victorians are among the 12 athletes selected to represent Australia’s Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team, the Gliders, at the 2010 Osaka Cup in Japan.

 

Cobi Crispin, Bridie Kean, Amanda Carter, Shelley Chaplin, Kathleen O’Kelly-Kennedy and Leanne Del Toso were all included in the Gliders team after a gruelling 4 day training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in January.

 

The Gliders will be defending the title they won in 2009 against Beijing Gold Medallist USA, Canada (4th in Beijing), and host nation Japan (5th in Beijing).

 

The Gliders will depart Australia on February 15 ahead of the first game in Osaka on February 18.

 

The tournament is an important part of the Gliders’ preparation for the 2010 IWBF World Championship in Birmingham, England from July 7-17.

 

Head Coach John Triscari will lead the 12-strong team which includes 10 athletes from the Bronze medal-winning team from the Paralympic Games in Beijing.

 

Two-time Paralympian Tina McKenzie will captain the team that features a wealth of experience with five-time Paralympian Liesl Tesch and three-time Paralympian Amanda Carter.

 

Basketball Victoria would like to wish all athletes and coaching staff the best for the upcoming tournament.

 

Australian Gliders team for Osaka Cup:
Name / State / Age / Classification

Cobi Crispin / VIC / 21 / 4.0
Bridie Kean / VIC / 22 / 4.0
Amanda Carter / VIC / 45 / 1.0
Tina McKenzie (c) / NSW / 35 / 3.0
Liesl Tesch / NSW / 40 / 4.0
Clare Burzynski / WA / 23 / 1.0
Kylie Gauci / NSW / 25 / 2.0
Sarah Stewart / NSW / 33 / 3.0
Shelley Chaplin / VIC / 25 / 3.5
Katie Hill / NSW / 25 / 3.0
Kathleen O’Kelly-Kennedy / VIC / 23 / 4.0
Leanne Del Toso / VIC / 29 / 4.0

Head Coach: John Triscari
Assistant Coaches:  Ben Osborne & Matt Dunstan
Manager: Marian Stewart
Physiotherapist:  Miranda Wallis

 

 

 

Tournament Schedule:

February 18:  

Japan v USA at 10.45am
Australia v Canada at 1.30pm

 

February 19:  

Japan v Canada 10.00am

Australia v USA at 10.00am

Australia v Japan at 1.30pm

Canada v USA at 1.30pm

 

February 20:  

Third place game at 10.00am
Gold Medal game at 1.30pm

 

 

 

Osaka Cup Official Website

 

 

 

 

 

For more information please contact:
Kimberley Lewis
Basketball Australia
T: 02 9469 7236
M: 0419 448 375
E: kimberley.lewis@basketball.net.au 
W: www.basketball.net.au

 

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