Auprince & Stibners named for Australian Rollers’ Continental Clash

Following a successful camp at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence earlier this month, NSWIS’ Michael Auprince and Brett Stibners have been named in the Australian Rollers team to tour Great Britain for the 2016 Continental Clash from July 2-5.

The reduced list of 14 athletes heading to Leicester will form the core of the Rollers team and from this tournament, the final team for the Rio Paralympics in September will be chosen.

The player selections for this tour were described by Rollers coach Ben Ettridge as the most difficult the coaching staff had performed in years with the entire squad playing at an exceptional level at the first camp.

“We had a great week at the Centre of Excellence,” said Ettridge.

“The boys were all in excellent shape and playing some great ball. Without doubt, the work they are doing is paying off and I am very proud of all of them.

“As far as selection goes, the boys who missed out on this tour did everything they could to push for selection and at the end of the day, we have selected the best 14 guys to take on the teams at the Continental Clash.”

The Rollers will fly to Great Britain on June 27 before they compete against Japan, USA, Netherlands and 2012 gold medallists Canada.

“The tour of Great Britain will give us the international competition we need to prepare for Rio,” said Ettridge.

The Australian Rollers team for the 2016 Continental Clash in Leicester, Great Britain: 

Josh Allison                       Kilsyth Cobras | VIS        

Michael Auprince            Wollongong Rollerhawks | NSWIS

Jannik Blair                        Red Dust Heelers | VIS

Adam Deans                      Red Dust Heelers | WAIS

Tristan Knowles                Kilsyth Cobras | VIS                        

Bill Latham                         Queensland Spinning Bullets | QAS

Matt McShane                    Queensland Spinning Bullets | QAS

Brad Ness                           Red Dust Heelers | WAIS

Shaun Norris                      Perth Wheelcats | WAIS

Tom O’Neill-Thorne           Queensland Spinning Bullets | QAS

Shawn Russell                   Kilsyth Cobras | VIS

Tige Simmons                    Queensland Spinning Bullets | QAS

Brett Stibners                    Wollongong Rollerhawks | NSWIS

Sam White                          Wollongong Rollerhawks | SASI

Australia’s full schedule can be found below with all times AEST:

Saturday July 2: Australia v Japan at 9:00pm

Sunday July 3: Australia v Great Britain at 4:45am

Sunday July 3: Australia v Netherlands at 9:00pm

Monday July 4: Australia v USA at 9:00pm

Tuesday July 5: Australia v Canada at 6:45pm