Wheelchair powers converge for Rollers vs World at AIS

A showdown of four powerhouse wheelchair programs is headed to Canberra with Rollers vs World hosted at the Australian Institute of Sport from 5 – 9 June. 

The Ford Australian Rollers will welcome Spain, Italy and Japan for a round robin tournament with every game to streamed LIVE via Basketball Australia YouTube, delivered in partnership with the Wheelchair Basketball Association (WBA). 

The home series sets up an important window of competitive basketball for Brad Ness, Head Coach and the Rollers men who have high aspirations for the IWBF World Championships in September.

We are utilising this tournament on a few fronts, one to give a few of the younger players more playing time to expose them to higher levels of competition as well as seeing which of the players are ready to take the opportunity to cement their place in the Final 12 leading into the world cup come September, said Ness.

This tournament gives us the coaches an opportunity to look into the future to see what the Rollers make up could possibly look like as we head towards to LA 2028.

The Rollers vs World series will provide a unique opportunity for some of the world’s best players and programs to compete in Australia. 

The Rollers regularly cross paths with Japan, another strong program in the IWBF Asia Oceania conference and the inclusion of Italy and Spain will present an elite, global level of talent in the series. 

“It’s important having these elite international programs in Australia. It opens more opportunities to play the game at the highest level and showcase Wheelchair Basketball at the highest level,” added Ness.

“This home series helps us gain exposure with how the world game is trending before we get to major tournaments like the world cup. It will be a fantastic opportunity to generate exposure and interest leading in Brisbane 2032.”

The Rollers squad and rosters for competing teams will be announced on Monday, 1 June 2026.