In a coup for the sport of basketball, ABC TV has announced it will broadcast the upcoming Australian men's wheelchair basketball team (the Rollers) in their four-nation international tournament – the Rollers World Challenge.
30 July 2009
Staged at the Sydney Olympic Park Sport Centre from Wednesday 29 July to Saturday 1 August inclusive, the tournament will be shown on both ABC1 and ABC2.
The Rollers World Challenge will feature the three medal winning teams from the 2008 Beijing Paralympics Games – Australia (1st), Canada (2nd), Great Britain (3rd). The event will also include Asian powerhouse Japan. The tournament will be screened on ABC2 each evening culminating with the final on Saturday night.
Head of ABC TV Sports & Events, Justin Holdforth, says telecasting the tournament continues the network's commitment to Paralympic sport on ABC TV.
"This ‘World Challenge' is the first opportunity for Australian audiences to see the Rollers since their thrilling gold medal performance at the Paralympics," Mr Holdforth said.
"The ABC coverage will aim to get viewers as close to the action as possible, with players and coaches wearing microphones, and even a camera on a player's chair.
"The Rollers have just returned home after winning the Paralympic World Cup in Rollers in Manchester, England, confirming they are one of Australia's hottest sporting teams.
"We are thrilled ABC TV can once again showcase the Rollers' unbelievable skills."
Basketball Australia Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock said ABC TV's coverage of the event was a coup for the sport.
"The Rollers are one of this country's most successful sporting teams and the players are truly world class athletes and Australian heroes, each with their own inspirational story to tell," said Mr Sengstock.
"The type of exposure that ABC TV's coverage will give to the team, and to the sport of basketball, is a massive vote of confidence in our game. The programming on both ABC1 and ABC2 will show a wider audience how exciting wheelchair basketball can be and provide a spotlight on some of our amazing local athletes."
Australia's matches will be broadcast early each evening of the tournament. Presenting the programs will be the ABC's basketball commentators from television and radio, Darren Boyd and Peter Walsh. Expert comments will be provided by Paralympic gold medal winning Roller, Grant Mizens.
Coverage on ABC1 will consist of two dynamic preview programs. The first will preview the entire tournament on Saturday 25 July. The show will feature interviews and stories involving the Australian team. The second show, also on ABC1, will review the tournament and preview the ‘World Challenge' final on Saturday 1 August.
