SICK of making the trip to Melbourne’s east for a slice of the action, a wheelchair basketball and handball club based in Werribee is seeking recruits to get a western league off the ground.
The Werribee Roller Devils, a club for people with or without a disability, is inviting residents to come to Werribee Sports and Fitness Centre and give wheelchair sport a spin.
Member Bradd Smith said while 15 players were on the books, fewer than seven regularly turned out for training and competitions.
“There’s one league in Knox, which we can get to on the train, but it’s just too much of a trip,” he said.
“It’s only about three or four times a year that we get to compete at tournaments in Coburg, at MSAC [Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre] and in Bendigo.
“Having no competition to play in out here means it’s getting a bit boring, so we need to step things up and make things better.”
Smith says the club is also looking for sponsorship, with hopes of travelling abroad to compete at wheelchair handball championships in Brazil next year.
Wyndham’s Access for All Abilities officer Wayne Slattery says wheelchair basketball and handball are sports anyone can play.
“We have equipment for people wanting to get involved, and have wheelchairs available. Families can come down to compete together if one brother or sibling is disabled – it’s fantastic to have a sporting activity they can all join in.”
Details: 0402 003 118.
