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Mills top scorer as Australia Gold take Worlds victory

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A group of female basketball players with intellectual impairments

Credit: Australian Pearls

Australia Gold claimed the women’s title at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Basketball Championships on Saturday (25 November) as Eliza Mills was named best female player and top scorer across the tournament in Loano, Italy.

The Golds played their compatriots Australia Green in the final. Both teams dominated the women’s 3×3 competition, the first time the format has been played at a World Championships.

The Greens opened the scoring with two baskets but were eventually overcome by their opponents. Jess McCulloch led the scoring for the silver medallists with four points.

Meanwhile all five players bagged points for the Golds, with Kaitlyn Papworth the top scorer with five points.

Mills claimed the overall top scorer accolade with 27 points from five games.

In the men’s 5×5 France claimed the title over 2013 world champions Portugal with a 66-31 win.

Australia were third, beating Poland 88-52. Jake De La Motte was the top scorer for the bronze medallists, netting 111 points over the Championships.

The 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Basketball Championships featured men’s and women’s teams from six countries – Australia, France, Poland, Portugal, Egypt and Japan.

France and Australia Gold continue winning form at basketball Worlds

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The French men’s team and the Australia Gold women’s team recorded their latest victories at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Basketball Championships in Loano, Italy, on Wednesday (22 November).

France’s 73-57 win over Japan saw them strengthen their position at the top of group one with four points. They followed-up on their triumph over Poland in their opening match on Tuesday (21 November).

Japan and Poland, the other two teams in the group, remain without a win.

In the women’s, Australia Gold recorded their third straight win at the Palagarassini Stadium.

They were the victors over the second Australian team, Australia Green.

The Greens kept the Golds contained in the opening few minutes. However Eliza Mills was too much for them to handle, scoring an impressive six points. The final score was 13-1

Earlier that day Australia Green took on France. In what was a low-scoring, physical game, the Greens forced the match into overtime in the final minute before scoring again to decide the 10-1 result.

Jess McCulloch was the top scorer for the Greens with four points. Nicole Harris also had a great game with three points, netting an impressive goal from a seated position after being knocked to the floor.

Men’s teams from Australia, Egypt, Portugal, Poland, Japan and France are competing in Loano. Australia Gold and Green and France make up the women’s competition.

Live updates and pictures are available throughout at World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.

About World Intellectual Impairment Sport

World Intellectual Impairment Sport represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the people with intellectual impairments in society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more. 

Portugal, Australia Gold take wins at World Intellectual Impairment Sport basketball Worlds

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Cheerleaders perform at the Opening Ceremony of the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Basktbetall Championships

Daniele Traverso

The Egyptian men’s and Australia Gold women’s team took victories at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Basketball Championships in Loano, Italy, on Tuesday (21 November).

Portugal, 2013 world champions and bronze medallists from 2015, beat newcomers Egypt 100-16 in their opening group two match at the Palagarassini Stadium.

France, 2015 silver medallists, began their campaign with a 64-29 win over Poland in group one.

Earlier in the day an impressive Opening Ceremony saw a packed crowd enjoy performances and speeches from local dignitaries.

In the women’s competition, played in the fast-paced 3×3 format, the Australia Pearls had a busy day.

The country has two teams in the competition – Australia Gold and Australia Green.

Australia Gold claimed victory over their compatriots 19-12.

After an early flourish from Australia Green that saw them take a 4-0 lead, the Golds settled into the game. Katie Papworth was the team’s top scorer, netting seven points.

Australia Gold then went on to beat France 12-6 in a double-header.

France tried to take advantage of Australia Gold’s plight in a very physical game, but they could not capitalise.

Molly Urquhart-Moran captained her side well, controlling the tempo and scoring at key points. Eliza Mills also starred for Australia, making 100 per cent of her foul shots to break the game open.

Games continue at the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Basketball Championships on Wednesday (22 November) and run until 25 November.

Men’s teams from Australia, Egypt, Portugal, Poland, Japan and France are competing in Loano. Australia Gold and Green and France make up the women’s competition.

Live updates and pictures are available throughout at World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.

About World Intellectual Impairment Sport

World Intellectual Impairment Sport represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the people with intellectual impairments in society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more. 

 

Portugal’s coach assesses competition at basketball Worlds

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A group of basketball players on the court

Credit: Sport Inclusion Australia

Portugal’s men’s coach Alcindo Quaresma is playing his cards close to his chest ahead of the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Basketball Championships this week in Loano, Italy.

His team are the bronze medallists from 2015, having beat Australia for bronze at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Ecuador. They are also the 2013 world champions.

With games getting underway in Loano on Tuesday (21 November), Quaresma said his team are relying on a tried-and-tested formula:

“In the training sessions that we have been able to do, the willingness and enthusiasm of the players have been well-known to work in order to be in the best conditions in this next competition. Training hard but with the prospect of participating in a worldwide event is in itself a huge incentive for all participants.”

As well as Australia, Portugal will face Poland, Japan, 2015 silver medallists France and debutants Egypt at the 2017 Worlds. Reigning champions Venezuala have not travelled to Italy, giving the former champions a boost.

“About the Championship, and although we were previously in third place, our expectations are, as they always were, to obtain the best classification as possible, giving our best, as we have always done, and as demonstrated by all our history,” Quaresma said.

He also said that there had been few changes to the team since 2015, except for him being brought in to replace former coach Fausto Pereira.

Quaresma is taking his first major Championships very seriously and has clearly evaluated the competition.

“From what we have observed and the results show, France has been the team that in recent years has shown greater evolution. We do not know how the other teams will be, but we know from their past that Poland and Australia are always opponents to be taken into account. About Japan we are already known for their stance to fight to the end in any match and with any opponent, with all the determination and enthusiasm. Surprise to us, and total ignorance, is in relation to the team of Egypt, given that it is the first time we will meet.”

Competition opens in Loano on Tuesday and runs until 25 November, when the medal matches will be played. All matches will be contested at the Palagarassini stadium.

Live updates and pictures will be available throughout at World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.

About World Intellectual Impairment Sport

World Intellectual Impairment Sport represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the people with intellectual impairments in society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more. 

 

Loano prepares for start of 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Basketball Champs

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Credit: Hamish Patterson

 

Men’s and women’s teams from Australia, Portugal, Poland, France, Japan and Egypt have arrived in Loano, Italy, for the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Basketball Championships which get underway on Tuesday (21 November).

Australia have dominated the court in recent years and return as the women’s 3×3 champions. Since winning gold at the 2015 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Ecuador they have remained No. 1 in the world rankings. Their second team also picked up bronze two years ago.

Senior players in Eliza Mills, Kim Perry, Molly Urguhart-Moran, Kaitlyn Papworth and Nicole Harris form the core of the Australian team.

The world leaders are fielding two teams who will play France in a round robin format. It is hoped that the Championships will help to develop women’s basketball, as well as showcasing the excitement of the 3×3 game.

It will also be the first women’s 3×3 title awarded at a stand-alone World Championships.

In the men’s 5×5, France and Portugal will be looking to capitalise on the absence of 2015 champions Venezuela.

Portugal beat Australia for bronze two years ago, bouncing back slightly from the disappointment of losing the chance to defend their title from 2013. France lost out to Venezuela by more than 20 points in the gold medal match.

The Egyptian men’s team will make their international debut at an World Intellectual Impairment Sport basketball World Championships.

“As for our opponents, from what we have observed and the results show, France has been the team that in recent years has shown greater evolution,” Portugal’s coach Alcindo Quaresma said. “We do not know how the other teams will be, but we know from their past that Poland and Australia are always opponents to be taken into account. Japan are already known for their stance to fight to the end in any match and with any opponent, with all the determination and enthusiasm.  “The surprise for us, and total ignorance, is in relation to the team of Egypt, given that it is the first time we will meet.

Competition opens in Loano on Tuesday and runs until 25 November, when the medal matches will be played. All matches will be contested at the Palagarassini stadium.

Live updates and pictures will be available throughout at World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.

The Championships are supported by the Executive of the Italian Sports Ministry, the Ligurian region and Loano Municipality.

About World Intellectual Impairment Sport

World Intellectual Impairment Sport represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the people with intellectual impairments in society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more. 

Preview: Biggest gathering of swimmers since Rio 2016 set for November

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A photo montage of athletes with intellectual impairments

Three International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Championships will see more of the world’s best athletes go for medals in November.

2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships

With 150 athletes from 20 countries, the competition will be the biggest gathering of swimmers since the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Taking place in Aguascalientes, Mexico, between 27 November – 4 December it will also be one of the marquee events of 2017.

Returning champions such as Chinese Taipei’s Jo Lin Tu headline the field. Tu dominated at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Ecuador in 2015, winning the women’s 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly.

One of her main rivals, Australia’s Jade Lucy, will try to defend her 400m and 800m freestyle titles. Teammate Nikesha Sophia Harding is also the women’s 50m breaststroke champion.

In the men’s Brazilian Paralympian Felipe Caltran Vila Real will look to retain his 200m butterfly gold from 2015. He will also try and improve on silver from the 50m fly.

Live updates, videos and pictures will be available throughout at  World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.

2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Basketball Championships

Loano, Italy, is preparing to host the World Championships between 20-26 November.

Australia have dominated the court in recent years and return as the women’s 3×3 champions. The Pearls could face Japan in a rematch of their gold medal game in Ecuador from 2015.

Senior players in Eliza Mills, Kim Perry, Molly Urguhart-Moran, Kaitlyn Papworth and Nicole Harris form the core of the Australian team.

The men’s competition will feature the 5×5 format. Games get underway on 22 November.

Live updates and pictures will be available throughout at  World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.

2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Indoor Rowing Championships

The 2017 edition of the Championships will take place in Gavirate, Italy, from 25-26 November.

Races in the 500m and 1,000m individual men’s and women’s and mixed relays will be contested.

Live updates and pictures will be available throughout at  World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.

Torneo Internacional de Futbol

Calbuco, Chile, will host this international tournament between 6-10 November.

The competition has been sanctioned by World Intellectual Impairment Sport in the build-up to the 2018 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Football Championships in Karlstad, Sweden, from 2-18 August.

#SupportTheBest: dinner and auction

World Intellectual Impairment Sport will host a dinner and auction in aid of the world’s best athletes at the Copthorne Hotel in Sheffield, Great Britain, on 23 November. Auction lots include trips to World Intellectual Impairment Sport Championships in 2018, signed sports memorabilia and much more.

More information and tickets is available here.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the people with intellectual impairments in society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more. 

 

Australia name men’s team for basketball Worlds

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A group of basketball players on the court

Credit: Sport Inclusion Australia

By Basketball Australia and Sport Inclusion Australia

The men’s team that will represent Australia at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Basketball Championships in Loano, Italy, has been named.

The Boomerangs will be led by 2013 World Championship bronze medallists Jarrod Thomson, Joshua Cleary, Bradley Kinross and Wayne Kinross between 20-26 November.

The team has had a great preparation with a tour to Japan as well as national competitions. They played at the Ivor Burge Championships in Bendigo and the 2017 Queens Birthday Long Weekend Tournament in Melbourne along with several training camps.

“This time together has been invaluable for the team, both in allowing players to gel as a team and for the coaches to appreciate the players strengths and combinations,” said head coach Simon Robinson.

Other players to make their way into the team include 2015 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games representatives Frazer Dawber, Justin Koenig and Jake De La Motte. James Myers, Dylan Pace and Jack Littleton will make their national debut.

De La Motte stood out at the Ivor Burge Championships whilst Myers and Pace impressed with outstanding performances at the 2017 Queens Birthday tournament and the 2016 tour of Japan. Littleton’s size and strength will come in handy against the larger European teams.

“There is a good blend of experience and youth in the team and after just missing out on a medal in Ecuador [at the 2015 Global Games] they will be keen to go one better this tournament,” said Robinson.

While the Boomerangs are currently ranked sixth in the world they are never far from the medals. They have reached the medal round in half of the Championship tournaments since 1992, winning bronze in Portugal in 1996 and Turkey in 2013.

The women’s team has also been announced.

Team roster

Frazer Dawber

Jake De La Motte

James Myers

Jarrod Thomson

Brad Kinross

Wayne Kinross

Dylan Pace

Joshua Cleary

Justin Koenig

Jack Littleton

Staff

Head coach: Simon Robinson

Assistant coach: George Havakis

Technical assistant coach: Justin May

Medical: David Taylor

Manager: Trish Currie

Support us

The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the world’s biggest impairment group in sport and society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference.

Australia reveal women’s Worlds basketball team

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Eliza Mills, Kate Leckenby and Evie Patterson all made the cut for the Australian Pearls. Credit: Hamish Patterson

Basketball Australia have announced the 10 players who will represent Australia at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Basketball Championships in Loano, Italy, from 19-28 November.

The competition will see the women’s team, the Australian Pearls, competing for the 3×3 title.  The team already hold the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games title which they won in Ecuador in 2015 and are the world No.1.  Australia will take two teams of five players each for the 3×3 competition.

The Australian Pearls first played the format when it was introduced in Ecuador in 2015. They came away with gold and bronze, adding to their unique history of medalling in every international competition for the last 15 years.

“The 3×3 format is expanding in popularity around the world with many World Championships now playing this exciting format of the game we love,” Sally Duncan, Australian team manager, said. “The rules for 3×3 make the game very fast, very physical and really exciting as a spectator sport.”

In Loano, the Australian Pearls will face Japan in a rematch of their gold medal game from 2015. France and the USA are also expected to compete.

The Australian team were selected following their last training camp in Melbourne on 19-20 August. With so many talented players in the squad, making the final cut to 10 was a difficult task.

Head coach, Larry Davidson, said: “The determination and commitment shown by the squad members has made it very difficult to select the final 10 players, and all of those trying out should be very proud of their contribution.  I wish we could take them all.”

The two teams will consist of some very experienced players matched with fresh young talent.

“Senior players such as Mills, Perry, Urguhart-Moran, Papworth and Harris will provide the core structure of our two teams.  Our younger players on their second/third tours will bring another level of energy and excitement into the two teams,” Davidson concluded.

All players have represented Australia before, making this Australian Pearls team rich in talent and international experience.

Team roster

  • Kim Perry
  • Eliza Mills
  • Nicole Harris
  • Molly Urquhart-Moran
  • Kaitlyn Papworth
  • Kate Leckenby
  • Jess McCulloch
  • Evie Patterson
  • Brittany Anderson
  • Amy Howard

Staff

  • Head coach: Larry Davidson
  • Team manager: Sally Duncan
  • Assistant coach: Jo Larkin
  • Physiotherapist: Dave Taylor

The men’s team announcement will follow shortly.

Support us

The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the world’s biggest impairment group in society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference.