Written by Maddy Ryan
Laura Davoli is a legend of our game.
When Laura was just seven years old, a rare bacterial infection changed her life forever, leading to the loss of both her legs. Yet, despite many challenges, Laura discovered her strength and passion through wheelchair basketball. We recently had the privilege of speaking with the VIS athlete to learn more about her inspiring journey toward independence and success.
Laura tried several sports from wheelchair tennis to swimming, but found her passion was basketball. From the moment she got that ball in her hands, she fell in love. Her passion evolved and her talent became apparent. Her skills on the court starting to attract attention and interest by the Performance & Pathways (formally High Performance) team at Basketball Victoria.
“Recognising that I was no longer like everyone else and that I was going to be living a different life meant everything would come with an added challenge. Once I got into basketball, I loved it straight away,” she says. “The team environment, the people, the energy—it was intoxicating.”
From the age of 12, Davoli participated in Victoria’s State Development Program (SDP) once a week for three hours on a Sunday but lost touch with the sport for a few years. At the age of 15, Davoli was back in SDP for U25’s and before she knew it, was asked to join the Australian Gliders.
“The thing I like most about basketball is being around people who are like me and living with a disability”. If you have been on a court with Davoli, you know she has a competitive nature which she gives credit to her Italian background, but the competitive part of the sport is something she claims to love.
Her journey hasn’t stopped at elite competition, at age 19 she's already achieved so much. Representing Australia at the 2023 Dubai Senior World Championships, the 2023 U25 World Championships and winning gold at the 2022, and the Oceana Women's Basketball Championships.
(via Basketball Australia)
However, this dynamic powerhouse doesn’t stop and has now also turned her attention to coaching, working with young players at Diamond Valley. “Coaching has been a whole new skillset, and it’s taught me so much as an athlete,” she reflects. “Teaching others the fundamentals have reminded me of how essential the basics are. I love helping others learn, and I’d love to see more opportunities for athletes to develop in this way.”
Davoli’s admiration for the Gliders’ legacy and her teammates is clear. “People like Shelly Matheson and Leanne Del Toso, the alumni of the Gliders, inspire me,” she says. “They’ve done so much for the program. I’m just proud to be part of it and to help take it further.”
Her aspirations are as ambitious as her achievements. “One of my top goals is to make it to the Paralympics, to qualify and medal. We’re all so competitive, and I just want to be part of that journey toward gold.”
For others with disabilities who want to try wheelchair basketball, Davoli has simple but powerful advice: “Just give it a go. No one’s going to judge you. The sport is open, and we want everyone to get involved.” She encourages people of all abilities to engage with wheelchair basketball, whether by watching, supporting, or trying it themselves. “Watch the Paralympics, get involved, come talk to us. We’re here with open arms, ready to welcome anyone who wants to be a part of this amazing community.”
Laura Davoli’s journey is one of resilience, community, and an unbreakable competitive spirit. Through her passion, she’s not only building her career, but also paving the way for others in the world of wheelchair basketball.
Keen to get involved in wheelchair basketball? If you are interested in coaching or playing wheelchair basketball, please submit your expression of interest below.
