The road to the World Championships is heating up for the U23 Spinners with 18 athletes reporting to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.
With the World Championships fast approaching, Australia’s young stars are gearing up for an exciting opportunity in Brazil. Brett Stibners, Rollers champion and current Head Coach of the Spinners has been guiding an intensive window of training, strength & conditioning and live game simulations versus Japan.
“We are working on style of play and combinations. My aim is to give each player an opportunity to play in a position to showcase their strengths," said Stibners.
While the team faced some unexpected late changes due to illnesses, their misfortune has opened the door for a 13-year-old star on the rise Evander Conroy.
“Evander has played 70 out of 80 minutes so far, Stibners noted (at the time of interview). It’s hard not to be impressed by that,” said Stibners.
| U23 Spinners Squad vs Japan (Friendly Series) | |||
| Alexander Blackmore | SA | Kane Downie | SA |
| Brayden Foxley-Connolly | QLD | Mitchell Bond | VIC |
| Braydon Ray Packer | QLD | Mitchell Duncan | QLD |
| Cooper Spillane | SA | Rhys Higgins | VIC |
| Ethan Hallak | NSW | Weston Tedcastle | NT |
| Evander Conroy | NSW | Zac Uhr | QLD |
| Jack Thomas | VIC | Zach Binns | QLD |
| Jackson Gray | NSW | Kane Downie | SA |
| Jordan Mouritz | WA | Mitchell Bond | VIC |
Overall, the Spinners are pleased with their preparations, with Stibners stating that the camp has allowed the Spinners “to try different styles of play” whilst also building the culture and camaraderie amongst the playing group.
The camp has welcomed top young talents from across Australia, including the code-hopping Brayden Foxley-Connolly who won bronze at the Paris 2024 Paralympics in wheelchair rugby for the Australian Steelers.
Team captains and Paralympians Jaylen Brown and Eithen Leard are unavailable due to professional duties oversea which regardless, Stibners believes will “give other players opportunities to showcase their skills”.
