New Wyndham wheelchair basketball coach Damian Duke jumped at the opportunity to get involved in the inaugural Victorian Wheelchair Basketball League.
Duke has been appointed coach of the Wyndham team that will be one of six teams in the competition.
The league will have mixed-gender teams and welcome able-bodied athletes, creating an inclusive space for both experienced and emerging players.
Athletes will have the opportunity to play in a highly competitive, supportive environment that celebrates skill development, sportsmanship, and the love of the game.
Duke was announced as Wyndham coach this week, with Jason Bryant his assistant coach.
“It’s really exciting and a fantastic opportunity for Wyndham to have a team in the state league this year,” Duke said.
“After being an assistant coach I’m ready to take on the role. We’re looking to be competitive in every game and have some home grown talent as well.”
Duke has been involved in Wyndham as an under-16 rep coach previously and this year coached the under-12 VC side in the Victorian Junior Basketball League.
He also brings a high level of experience in the wheelchair basketball space.
“I’ve been involved as an assistant coach with the under-23 state team,” he said. “I’ve had that role the last three years under Jason Bryant as a head coach.
“He’s also from Wyndham. I’ve been involved in a few pathway camps at Canberra.”
Duke said having Bryant involved was a massive plus not only for him, but the team.
It will be the first time that Wyndham has had a wheelchair basketball team in six or seven years, Duke said.
Wyndham’s side has already been selected with a short turnaround between the announcement of the competition and it kicking off this weekend.
Duke said they had a number of locals involved, including Kylie Bozanic who is also the team manager.
Bozanic has been running Wyndham’s all-abilities program and along with Duke running a wheelchair program at Wyndham.
Sarah Barry, Nicholas Briant, Peter Fraser, Georgina Gott, Brook Quinn, Will Taylor and Chithic Machar make up the Wyndham team.
