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Perth Wheelcats coach Michelle Swain is urging the WA basketball public to get out to support her team in the Women’s National Wheelchair Basketball League this weekend with three home games at Bendat Basketball Centre.

The Wheelcats started their WNWBL season in fine fashion with three double-figure victories on the road to the Gold Coast Rollers ahead of three matches at home this weekend against the Sydney Blues.

The first game will take place between the Wheelcats and Blues on Saturday morning at Bendat Basketball Centre at 11am before backing up at 6pm that evening at the same venue.

Perth and Sydney will then do it all again on Sunday at 9:30am to wrap up the triple-header weekend in the second round of the 2025 WNWBL season.

It shapes as a terrific weekend of action too with the Wheelcats starting off their campaign with the three wins away to Gold Coast while the Blues also were impressive in their opening three matches winning them all against the defending champion Sydney Uni Lions.

Reigning WNWBL Coach of the Year Michelle Swain is excited to start their home season this weekend against the Blues and hopes as many supporters get out to support the Wheelcats as possible.

“This is such a great opportunity for the athletes to play in front of their families and friends. It doesn’t happen often, so for us to have three home games this season, is so good,” Swain said.

“I really do hope that the extended basketball community will come down to Bendat, and get behind our lady Wheelcats this weekend. They won’t be disappointed, it’s going to be a great few games of basketball.

“We also have 3×3 happening before 5v5 games on Saturday at 10am and 5pm.”

As for the games themselves, Swain is fully aware of the threat that the Blues will pose for the Wheelcats coming off their three wins to start their own season against the Lions.

In those wins for Sydney, Georgia Munro-Cook averaged 33.3 points and Jess Cronje 11.0 while Kylie Gauci dished out an average of 6.7 assists, and Munro-Cook pulled down 8.7 rebounds.

“Yes, this weekend is going to be testing,” Swain said.

“The Blues are a great team, filled with depth and knowledge. But I know our girls will be ready for whatever challenge they may face.”

The Wheelcats scored the 50-37, 59-43 and 55-33 victories at Carrara Basketball Stadium against Gold Coast to open the season with plenty of players having standout weekends.

That included Sarah Vinci averaging 12.7 points, Ebony Stevenson 11.5 and Laura Gillis 10.3 while Taishar Ovens had 7.0 assists and Stevenson 6.5, and Gillis pulled down 7.3 rebounds.

However, it was the whole team that most impressed Swain.

“Yes, it was a great outcome for us all. They played extremely well as a team. And the result speak for themselves,” Swain said.

“Yes, a great effort from those mentioned. But honestly, there was input from everyone. If someone wasn’t scoring, they were setting up others.

“The passing and rebounding was outstanding too. It was such a great team effort. Natalie Alexander hit some great shots. And Ebony Stevenson contributed well at both ends of the court.”

Swain is also pleased that the Wheelcats came out with a relatively clean bill of health out of that opening weekend and she expects all players to again be available this weekend against the Blues.

“Ebony had a fall in our second game, and aggravated a hand injury,” Swain said.

“So we chose not to play her in the last game. Just as a precaution. Laura Gillis also has a hand injury. But they are both doing all that is asked of them to help with recovery.”

𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘭𝘦: 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴 𝘗𝘪𝘬𝘦

Don’t miss this weekend!

Wheelcats WOMEN
🆚 Sydney Blues
🗓️ Saturday 14 June / 11:00AM & 6:00PM (Live streamed)

Wheelcats WOMEN
🆚 Sydney Blues
🗓️ Sunday 15 June / 9:30AM

Wheelcats WOMEN 3×3
🆚 Sydney Blues
🗓️ Saturday 14 June / 10:00AM

🆚 Sydney Blues
🗓️ Saturday 14 June / 5:00PM