Wyndham fell just short of claiming the inaugural Victorian Wheelchair Basketball League title.
The team was unstoppable from round three and finished second on the ladder before beating Bendigo in the semi finals to win through to the grand final.
Kilsyth proved too strong in the grand final, winning 65-35 to claim the title and end Wyndham’s hopes.
Coach Damian Duke said it was a massive achievement for the group.
“It was an amazing feeling, we didn’t expect to get to the grand final,” he said. “How the group came together and go through the semi final and made it to the grand final.”
Duke said the process of getting to the grand final was exciting with several players who hadn’t had many minutes during the regular season, getting their chance in the semi final.
He said the support of other sides despite competing against each other was on show throughout as well.
Duke said they gave it all in the grand final.
“We went out early in the game and gave it our all,” he said. “We were close at half time but after half time we fell a little bit behind and it all started to unravel.
“It was a tough match up, we just couldn’t get there.”
Duke said this season and the grand final was a really good start point for the side.
Weeks out from the season they didn’t even know who would be playing in the team.
“We will enjoy what we achieved and get better and develop everyone,” he said.
“It’s one step to the future. We’ve got a core group that will push forward together and with some more training, there’s a bright future.
The association said it was proud of the side and what it had achieved this season.
“Exceptional work by the players and coaching team,” it said on social media.
Duke was awarded the league’s first coach of the year award.
The association said Duke has been exceptional, leading the Wyndham representative team that is a group of varying abilities who had never played together five weeks ago.
“Leading them straight into the grand final. His leadership and ability to forge a winning team are truly what we needed to have at WBA.”
Duke said that recognition came as a bit of a surprise.
“It was a little unexpected,” he said. “It’s a reflection of the whole team, not just myself.
“The support staff, the WBA. I’m happy for the whole team that helped me achieve it.”
