MEDIA RELEASE

19 Septembe 2011

In an action packed 2011 NWBL Finals weekend, the Wollongong Roller Hawks arose victorious and claimed the 2011 NWBL Championship Title.

“It’s a fantastic experience to win this year’s NWBL Championship Title. Our team worked very hard throughout the season and our dedication has paid off. Our team performed at their best during the Finals game which was great. Our defense was maintained throughout and we followed through by consistently scoring points. 

The Perth Wheelcats were in top form and were a difficult team to beat. Playing against such formidable opposition makes us even more proud to have won the 2011 Championship Title. It’s a great finish to the 2011 season.” Tristan Knowles, Captain, Wollongong Roller Hawks, 2011 NWBL Champions. 

The Wollongong Roller Hawks were second on the ladder behind the Be Active Perth Wheelcats prior to the Finals Round. The Roller Hawks were too good for the Wheelcats in the first semi-final, finishing strongly taking the game 83 to 74 points and booking their place in the gold medal match. 

The next game in the draw was also a match not to be missed. The home team RSL Queensland Spinning Bullets excited and impressed fans at the Logan Metro Indoor Sports Centre with the home ground advantage paying dividends.  In the second semi-final the RSL Queensland Spinning Bullets were triumphant over the Sydney Uni WheelKings 85 to 51 points. 

In the elimination final, the Be Active Perth Wheelcats defeated the RSL Queensland Spinning Bullets 84 to 67 points to progress to the gold medal match. 

The Bronze playoff had the RSL Queensland Spinning Bullets and Sydney Uni WheelKings going head to head. The Spinning Bullets were successful in defeating the WheelKings and secured the bronze medal for the 2011 NWBL season finishing 83 to 64 points. 

Sunday’s Grand Final had everyone on the edge of their seats. Wollongong Roller Hawks clashed against the Be Active Perth Wheelcats in what proved to be an extraordinary game. The Roller Hawks' Tristan Knowles had an outstanding shooting game with 48 points in taking out the Most Valued Player of the Finals series award.  The Roller Hawks were an imposing force, beating the silver medalists in a heated final of 95 points to 85 points. 

“Congratulations to all the teams for a brilliant season” said Gillian Ting, Executive Officer Wheelchair Sports Australia. “Special thanks to all the players, coaches, officials and volunteers who make the NWBL possible. It has been a marvellous finish to a great season and we’re looking forward to an amazing 2012 season.” 

If you missed all the action on the weekend, stay tuned, as for the first time, the 2011 NWBL Finals will be televised on Aurora Community Channel. Catch the Championship Game in detailed action airing from September through to November. The broadcast negotiated by Aurora with Australian Athletes With a Disability has been made possible by sponsorship from the following organisations Australian Athletes With a Disability, Basketball Australia, Aurora Community Channel and also Gondwana Productions. 

2011 NWBL Finals Results

16.09	8.30pm	Semi Final	The Be Active Perth  Wheelcats	(74)	def by.	Wollongong Roller Hawks	(83)
17.09	11.00am	Semi Final	RSL Queensland Spinning Bullets	(85)	def.	Sydney Uni WheelKings	(51)
17.09	8.30pm	Elimination Final	RSL Queensland Spinning Bullets	(67)	def by.	The Be Active Perth Wheelcats	(84)
18.09	11.00am	Bronze Medal	RSL Queensland Spinning Bullets	(83)	def.	Sydney Uni WheelKings	(64)
18.09	1.00pm	Gold Medal	Wollongong Roller Hawks	(95)	def.	The Be Active Perth Wheecats	(85)

2011 NWBL Awards

2011 NWBL Champions	Wollongong Roller Hawks
2011 NWBL Runner Up	The Be Active Perth Wheelcats
2011 NWBL Third Place	RSL Queensland Spinning Bullets
2011 NWBL MVP Finals Series	Wollongong Roller Hawks	Tristan Knowles
2011 MVP of the Season	The Be Active Perth Wheelcats	Shaun Norris
2011 Most Valuable High Point Player	The Be Active Perth Wheelcats	Justin Eveson
2011 Most Valuable Mid Point Player	The Be Active Perth Wheelcats	Shaun Norris
2011 Most Valuable Low Point Player	Victoria Dandenong Rangers	Dylan Alcott
2011 NWBL All Star Five	Wollongong Roller Hawks	Tristan Knowles
	Wollongong Roller Hawks	Coling Smith
	The Be Active Perth Wheelcats	Justin Eveson
	The Be Active Perth Wheelcats	Shaun Norris
	Victoria Dandenong Rangers	Dylan Alcot
2011 NWBL Season Top Scorer	Wollongong Roller Hawks	Tristan Knowles
2011 NWBL Coach of the Year	RSL Queensland Spinning Bullets	Tom Kyle
2011 Life Membership	RSL Queensland Spinning Bullets	Matthew Le Busque

NWBL Finals TV Coverage - Broadcast Schedule 

September

Saturday 24th 12.30pm
Sunday 25th 11.30am & 5.30pm
Tuesday 27th 3.00pm
Friday 30th 3.30pm

October

Wednesday 5th 3.00pm
Thursday 20th 3.30pm
Sunday 23rd 11.30am

November

Thursday November 17th 8.30pm
Friday November 18th 12.30pm

International Day of People With Disability

Friday 2nd December (Time TBC)
Saturday 3rd December (Time TBC)

For more information: 

Tamara Hohnberg
Projects Officer, Australian Athletes With a Disability
Tel +61 2 8116 9720 Fax +61 2 8732 1633
PO Box 4083 Homebush South NSW 2140
Tamara@sports.org.au
www.sports.org.au