The U25 Women’s World Championships feature eight countries, with the Australian Devils the current bronze medallists from Beijing, China back in 2015.
Australia’s Head Coach, Stephen Charlton, said:
“This is an exciting time as we get ready for the upcoming Under 25 World Championships in Suphan Buri. We have a young team of exciting athletes that we believe have fantastic opportunities in front of them.
“Ranging from ages 13 all the way up to 21, this will be an incredible opportunity for these players to experience international competition and compete for their country.”
The majority of the selected junior Devils have experience playing at National WNWBL club level, with Maryanne Latu, Jess Cronje, Georgia Bishop-Cash, Mary Friday, Isabel Martin and Taishar Ovens having been a part of the national leagues for several years.
While three developing athletes have also been named, in Lauren Hardbottle, Sarah King and Victoria Simpson. The trio are all young exciting prospects that are eligible to compete in the next three Under 25 Championships.
Charlton continued: “We have selected 11 players to take part, starting with current Glider; Annabelle Lindsay. Annabelle participated in the World Championships in Hamburg last year and is joining us after completing a year of college at the University of Texas Arlington.
“She will be joined upfront and inside by exciting 16-year-old talent Teisha Shadwell. Teisha is a very exciting young talent and this will be a great opportunity for her in her first real exposure to international wheelchair basketball.”
The Australian team has drawn a tough pool with the United States, Germany and Turkey rounding out the Devils first-round pool play. The USA are set to bring their starting unit from last year’s senior IWBF World Championships, and as a result will be one of the favourite’s along with Great Britain. The Devils first game is against Germany in what will be a crucial match-up for their quarter final cross over chances.
Australia’s Head of Wheelchair Basketball, Leigh Gooding, said:
“This is a great opportunity and one that all the players and staff are very much looking forward to. Being selected to represent your country on the International stage, and to be able to play at the highest junior level is an honour.
“This is a young developing group, and a fantastic squad of young women that will do us proud. They will need to come together very quickly in the early rounds, in what is sure to be a testing environment to make a run at a medal, but we are confident with the personnel we have selected.”
Australia U25 Devils Roster
| Taishar Ovens | 1998 | 1 |
| Victoria Simpson | 2005 | 1 |
| Isabel Martin | 1999 | 1 |
| Mary Friday | 1998 | 1 |
| Maryanne Latu | 1999 | 2.5 |
| Sarah King | 2004 | 3 |
| Georgia Bishop Cash | 2001 | 4 |
| Jessica Cronje | 1998 | 4 |
| Lauren Hardbottle | 2003 | 4 |
| Teisha Shadwell | 2003 | 4.5 |
| Annabelle Lindsay | 1998 | 4.5 |
Team Staff
Stephen Charlton – Head Coach
Sarah Graham – Assistant Coach
Dave Hegerty – Assistant/Technical
Bonnie Kerr – Physiotherapist
Jane Kyle – Team Manager
Steph Shell – Physiologist
Wording and image courtesy of Basketball Australia
