“These players understand what it takes to succeed at a World Championships and Paralympics, and will provide the leadership and direction to our younger players.”

Heading to South Korea as the defending World Champions, the Rollers have named a squad littered with major international tournament experience, including eight players who claimed silver at the 2012 London Paralympic Games.

The final team was announced following a four-day training camp in Melbourne at the Australian Paralympic Committee-Essendon Football Club joint training facility.

Australian Rollers Head Coach Ben Ettridge said he believes the team has an exciting mix of experienced talent and rising stars to help retain the World Championship.

“When you look at the likes of Brad Ness, Justin Eveson, Shaun Norris, Tristan Knowles and Michael Hartnett – you’ve got a core group who have played more than 150 times for their country on the biggest stages our sport has to offer,” Ettridge said.

“These players understand what it takes to succeed at a World Championships and Paralympics, and will provide the leadership and direction to our younger players.”

A lot of excitement surrounds the young talent in the Rollers program, with the likes of Jannik Blair and Bill Latham already sporting Paralympic medals in their trophy cases.

They lead a new generation of talent who will get their chance to shine on the international stage, according to Ettridge.

“In Jannik and Bill we have two players with significant international experience, despite their relative youth,” Ettridge said.

“These guys are the leaders for the young players like Adam Deans, Luke Pople, Josh Allison and Tom O’Neill-Thorne, who will get their first taste of a World Championship tournament in South Korea.

“They have all proven they belong in the final 12 and I can’t wait to see them show the world that the next generation of Rollers will ensure the program remains among the world’s elite.”

The Rollers will face European trio Germany, Sweden and Italy in their preliminary round games, in the pool dubbed the “group of death” by many observers.

The 2014 IWBF Men’s Wheelchair Basketball World Championships takes place in Incheon, South Korea from 3-15 July.

Australian Rollers Team for the 2014 IWBF Men’s Wheelchair Basketball World Championships

Joshua Allison – Victoria

Jannik Blair – Victoria/University of Alabama

Adam Deans – Wollongong Rollerhawks

Justin Eveson – Be Active Perth Wheelcats

Michael Hartnett – Be Active Perth Wheelcats

Tristan Knowles – Victoria

Bill Latham – RSL Queensland Spinning Bullets

Brad Ness – Red Dust Heelers Adelaide

Shaun Norris – Be Active Perth Wheelcats

Tom O’Neill-Thorne – RSL Queensland Spinning Bullets

Luke Pople – Wollongong Rollerhawks

Nick Taylor – Wollongong Rollerhawks

Staff:

Head Coach: Ben Ettridge

Assistant Coach: Craig Friday

Assistant Coach: Luke Brennan

Team Manager: Leigh Gooding

Physiotherapist: Jesse Adams

Recovery Specialist: Jo Vaile