Australia’s senior wheelchair basketball teams have received a massive boost with major sponsor, Ford Dealer Network, extending its relationship with Basketball Australia.

With a massive year ahead, two of Australia’s most prolific teams will charge on as the Ford Rollers and Gliders.

The Ford Dealer Network’s commitment comes at a crucial time with both the Rollers men’s and the Gliders women’s team preparing for the Ford BALLIN’24 series against Japan in Melbourne.

The ongoing relationship with the Ford Dealer Network ensures that Australia’s wheelchair basketball teams will have the resources required to challenge the world’s best.

“The Rollers and Gliders have been consistent performers on the international stage and the backing of the Ford Dealer Network will assist in taking our programs to another level,” said Leigh Gooding, Basketball Australia’s General Manager of Wheelchair & 3×3 Programs.

“Like all the Australian national teams, our players complete rigorous schedules to find an edge in their game and progress their development, and many compete in both the Australian and European international circuits,”

“It takes a mountain of planning and resources to bring Australia’s best together, and we’re excited to be joining the Opals, Boomers, and Ford Aussie Hoops under the Ford Dealer Network sponsorship umbrella.”

The first connection with the Ford Dealer Network was first announced with a breakthrough agreement to support the Opals in June 2023 and the relationship developed further with the launch of a sponsorship of the Boomers and Ford Aussie Hoops grassroots program in August.

The expansive nature of the relationship is driven by the Ford Dealer Network’s genuine commitment to Australian basketballers, from the community courts to the big stage.

“Basketball is an amazing platform for Australians, no matter their age, ability, or their social background. We are incredibly proud of our partnership with all Basketball Australia teams – the Boomers, the Opals, the Ford Gliders and Ford Rollers as well as the Ford Aussie Hoops program,” said Cameron McLeish, Chairman of the Ford Dealer Advertising Fund.

“For nearly 100 years, Ford’s dealers have supported sports programs that connect communities and help Aussies live their dreams. With Basketball Australia, we hope to continue this legacy and not just offer sponsorship, but also help increase awareness and access to the sport, right from hometowns across the nation where the journey truly begins.

“We are especially excited to welcome the Ford Rollers and Ford Gliders to the Ford family.

“Like all of Australia’s senior teams, the intense preparation that they put into each game is truly inspiring. We look forward to supporting them as they continue making a mark both within the country and abroad, starting with the Ford BALLIN’24 series and the Paris 2024 Paralympics.”