The 2025 National Wheelchair Basketball League gets underway this weekend with a road double for the Perth Wheelcats women with coach Michelle Swain excited by her group with a sole focus on only worrying about what lies ahead.
The Wheelcats are the second most successful women’s club in the competition having won three championships including most recently in 2022, but they went heartbreakingly close of another title in 2024 before losing the grand final to the Sydney Uni Flames.
That’s the last thing that is on the mind of reigning WBA Coach of Year Swain’s mind coming into the new season which begins with a trio of games this weekend against the Gold Coast Rollers at Carrara Indoor Stadium with a couple on Saturday, and another on Sunday morning.
Swain can’t fault the preparation of the team coming into the new season ahead of a road trip to start things off. She’s exited to be able to add development players Madi Kent and Amy Beal to the fully rostered players she’ll have available.
“Preparation has been going well. The athletes are doing everything asked and required of them,” Swain said.
“Now we just have to put anything from last year aside, work together and put it all in place on the court. It’s exciting to mention we have 2 new development players in Madi Kent and Amy Beal.
“And a big thank you to Georgia Inglis, Sarah Vinci, Natalie Alexander, Taishar Ovens, Laura Gillis, Ebony Stevenson, Sara Houston and Georgia Gott. And also, Michelle Fletcher at BWA.”
As for the playing squad Swain will have to coach for the 2025 season as they attempt to go one better than last year, Amber Meritt will be missed but for the best possible reason with her about to give birth to her first child.
There’s plenty to be buoyed about with the Wheelcats line-up, though, headed up by new mother, Paralympian and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Georgia Inglis.
Inglis was also the MVP for the 2.0-2.5 classification last season with the Wheelcats with Ebony Stevenson also winning the MVP last season for 3.0 classification and returning in 2025 as well as being Best First Year Player and making the All Star Five.
Stevenson and Inglis will be joined by Natalie Alexander, Laura Gillis, Georgina Gott, Lauren Hardbottle, Sara Houston, Sarah Vinci and Taishar Ovens along with development players Beal and Kent.
It’s a squad that Swain is excited to be in charge of.
“I am extremely happy, not just the talent, but the attitudes, drive, and willingness of these athletes. Like everyone, they have commitments not only to the Wheelcats, but also family, work, national teams, and life itself,” she said.
“It’s so good to have GI playing. She brings knowledge and understanding to us all. We have a huge gap to fill with Amber Meritt not playing, as she and partner Simon are expecting their first born in a few weeks.
“However, I’m also excited that this gives Laura Gillis, and Sarah Houston the opportunity to step up and display their talents. Amber continues to help, assist and give back to the sport at training.”
While the Wheelcats had a season to be proud of in 2024 reaching the grand final, Swain’s sole focus is on looking forward and that includes being part of an expanded WNWBL in 2025 with two new teams added.
The women’s league now sees the Wheelcats joined by Gold Coast, Sydney Blues, Adelaide Thunder, Sydney Uni and Victoria.
Swain is proud to see that the competition continues to grow and go from strength to strength.
“Honestly, I don’t want to look back. Our goal right now is to make finals weekend. Forward Always, Always Forward,” Swain said.
“I think it’s fantastic that the women’s league has expanded. And we now have players now playing in their own State. This also means that the competition and talent will be at a high level where ever we play.”
While Swain is rightfully proud to have been named Coach of the Year in 2024, she knows she couldn’t have done it without her faith or the support from West Australian coaching great Craig Friday.
Overall, though, it’s the positive and no-nonsense attitude the wheelchair players bring every day that inspires Swain and drives her on to help them achieve their dreams and goals.
“Thank you for acknowledging that award, but I could not have got it without mentioning GOD and Craig Friday. They are a big reason I am where I am and I could not have done this without them,” Swain said.
“Yes, I have come from playing and coaching able bodied basketball. And in any form of the game there are egos. But in wheelchair basketball, I just love the way athletes just get on with it. They have their moments, hahahaha, but just get on with it.”
While the Wheelcats begin their season on the Gold Coast this weekend, Swain already can’t wait for the chance to play at home at Bendat Basketball Centre over the weekend of June 14 and 15.
That will see the Wheelcats host the Sydney Blues in all three matches with the first at 11am on the Saturday before backing up at 6pm that evening, and then again at 9:30am on Sunday morning.
Having been shortchanged on home games in 2024, Swain can’t wait to be at home for those three matches to start things off ahead of also hosting the Thunder over July 5-6, Lions over July 19-20, and Victoria over August 8-9-10.
“We are very excited for those first home games!,” Swain said.
“We had more games away than home last year. So to have three home games is very exciting. Athletes can have their family members watching in person, rather than online.
“It’s so important to have the support of our family members and community with us. I hope that people will take the chance to come experience our top State teams playing some exciting wheelchair basketball.”