Kym West
28 July 2025
Mildura, Victoria - Basketball Victoria is proud to see wheelchair basketball take another exciting step forward in regional Victoria with the launch of Hot Wheelies, Mildura’s first-ever inclusive wheelchair basketball program.
Running from the 10th August to the 14th September at the Hothouse Stadium, Hot Wheelies is a six-week program designed to introduce participants of all backgrounds and abilities to the sport. Developed through strategic planning under Basketball Victoria’s wheelchair basketball roadmap, the program reflects the organisation’s commitment to growing the sport across the state, especially in regional locations.
The initiative builds on the momentum generated during Basketball Victoria’s December 2024 visit to Mildura, which included school clinics and a come-and-try session. The overwhelming response confirmed a strong appetite for wheelchair basketball in the north-west, paving the way for a more permanent program.
“This program is a key part of our broader plan to grow the sport across the state and make it more accessible to regional communities,” said Elliott Knight, Basketball Victoria’s Diversity and Inclusion Officer - Wheelchair Basketball. “It's exciting to see wheelchair basketball taking off in Mildura.”
Delivered by Intereach and powered by a Sport and Recreation Victoria Regional All Abilities Participation Grant, Hot Wheelies has been co-designed with people with lived experience of disability and supported by an incredible lineup of partners, including Mildura Basketball Association, Mildura Rural City Council, the Disability Inclusion Advisory Committee, Mallee Sports Assembly, Lime Therapy, Country Care and WeKare.
Participants of all ages and experience levels are encouraged to get involved. All equipment, including sport wheelchairs and basketballs will be provided, with a team of volunteers and support staff on site to help each week. Funding has been secured for two six-week programs, which will lay the foundation for long-term growth and provide opportunities for players, coaches, referees and volunteers to get involved in the sport.
Local basketball legend, Nikhil Peters, currently playing for the King Construction Men Heat in the Big V league, joins the program as its official Basketball Ambassador. Peters will be on court as a coach, support for the participants and to represent the program to the wider community. “I’m so excited to be part of Hot Wheelies and experience the sport in a new way,” said Peters. “Basketball has been such a big part of my life, and I’m keen to jump in a wheelchair and master the game from a different angle.”
The official launch of Hot Wheelies will take place on Sunday 10 August at 2pm at Hothouse Stadium, 50–52 8th St, Mildura. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
As Basketball Victoria continues to drive inclusive sport outcomes across the state, programs like Hot Wheelies demonstrate how partnerships, local leadership and strategic vision can come together to build lasting change.
For more information or to register, contact Mildura Basketball Association here.
For more information about our wheelchair programs click here:
