History in Brief
The Roller Hawks entered the National Wheelchair Basketball League in 2001, becoming the first regional team to play in the League, which made its appearance in 1984.
Although many of the athletes who play in the League are Australian representatives and / or Paralympians, they are not professional athletes as their NBL able-bodied players are.
The Venue
The team plays out of the Shellharbour City Stadium, THE No 1 sporting facility for disablity sport in the country. For this reason the small south coast region of Shellharbour has been invited, on several occasions, to host International fixtures and even a Paralympic qualifying tournament.
Admin
The Roller Hawks Club is affiliated with the National Wheelchair Basketball League and it's state-based Wheelchair Sport Association, www.wsnsw.org.au A Volunteer Management Committee, administers the Club, its committee members a mix of members of the Community with representations from the Team coaching and playing staff.
Team Mix
The nucleus of players is from the local area
with players fron New Zealand and usually an Import Player - the NWBL charter allowing teams one import player on a given year's roster.
Past Imports ...
of the Roller Hawks have been:
Joey Johnston ~ Canada
Nick Taylor ~ South Africa
Yvon Rouillard ~ Canada
Jesus Romero Martin ~ Spain (2008)
Finance
Income received is in the form of Grants, Commercial Sponsorship and Fund Raising Events.
Team Highlights
* NWBL Champions 2003
(defeating the Brisbane Spinning Bullets)
* NWBL Bronze Medallists: 2007
* NWBL Silver Medallists : 2008
* Unbeaten at home 2008 Season
Individual Highlights 2008-9
* Brett Stibners - Beijing Gold Medalist, Shellharbour's Citizen of
the Year- key to CIty. Awarded OAM of Australia.
* Tristan Knowles -Beijing Gold Medalist, Awarded OAM of Australia.
2008 NWBL All Star Team. NWBL Season MVP and Highest Scorer.
* Shawn Russell - Selected in U/23 Australian Team for World
Championships in Paris (France)