National league team visits coast

THE Rockets and Cyclones deservedly get the headlines but action with the Rockwheelers is proving equally hot.

This weekend at Yeppoon's Capricorn Stadium the champion Rockwheelers get an opportunity to see what it requires to move to the next level, with four matches against National League team Brisbane Spinning Bullets.

The game will be given a bit of spice as former Rockwheeler Nick Benjamin returns with his new Spinning Bullets team-mates.

Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association regional co-ordinator Michael Oxley is excited by the prospect of welcoming such high-quality opposition as it gives local organisers an opportunity to gauge its own level.

“It is the first time a National League team has come outside south-east Queensland,” he said.

“The Spinning Bullets coming here is a reflection of the improvement made by our Rockwheelers.”

For the Rockwheelers there is the chance to prove to national administrators that when the league is expanded, probably in 2011, it should include a side from outside the metropolitan areas.

Currently only Wollongong, of the seven teams, is not a “major” city. There are two Sydney teams, and one each from Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.

“It would give the sport a real boost,” Oxley said.

Playing against sides that compete on the national stage regularly is a massive rise in the standard.

For instance, this weekend the Spinning Bullets bring a squad of players that will include three-time Paralympian and gold medal recipient Adrian King and Great Britain international Joe Bestwick, who won bronze at Beijing.

Two matches between the Rockwheelers and Spinning Bullets are on Saturday at noon and 6pm and a further two at 9am and noon on Sunday.

A program of CQ Basketball League games will be played on Saturday afternoon between the main games.