Wheelchair Basketball: Tough lessons for Troopers

Brent Lynn looks on as fellow Te Raki Troopers player Jamie Tapp looks for space in their match against Auckland Wheelbreakers. Photo / Tania Whyte

A clash with the Auckland Wheelbreakers provided Te Raki Troopers a few lessons and valuable experience going forward.

Te Raki Troopers succumbed to big defeats in their two matches against two Wheelbreakers sides at ASB Stadium despite valiant performances.

They went down 11-53 to the Wheelbreakers top side and 22-48 to their second team.

Coach Mark Olivier said it was great experience for his team.

"It was good practise for all teams with a tournament coming up this weekend in Hamilton," he said.

"It also gave the community an opportunity to see wheelchair basketball in action. The junior players got an opportunity to play."

Wheelchair basketball in Northland had been strong in the Kaikohe area and only moved down to Whangarei due to lack of players further north.

Originally the chairs that had been used there were brought down to Whangarei to allow people to use them to form a team.

Unfortunately, this didn't continue for quite some time as a lack of someone to drive the game made it unviable.

Te Raki Troopers came about after Parafed Northland purchased new basketball chairs in 2009.

The following year Te Raki Troopers were formed, attending many tournaments with some success, including second in Division 2 at the Wheelchair Basketball Nationals in 2015.

Funding was provided to pay for the present uniforms, with a change of colours coming soon as new uniforms are on order.

Olivier became coach earlier this year, having an immediate impact on the team.

He has slotted in very well and the players are enjoying having him as coach.