Brett Stibners had called time on playing for the Australia Rollers after London, but on Friday the Oak Flats basketballer will head to Rio for his third Paralympic Games.
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“After London I retired actually because physically and mentally I had enough. The day in and day out grind that it takes to be part of the team took its toll,’’ Stibners said.
“But at the start of last year I missed it and I felt physically really good so I spoke to the coach and he was happy for me to come back into the squad. From there I was picked for the qualifiers and then for Rio.’’
The 37-year-old headlines a strong Illawarra contingent picked for the Rollers team looking to better their London Paralympics’ silver medal exploits.
Shawn Russell from Farmborough Heights will make his Paralympic debut in Rio, while experienced campaigner and former Wollongong Roller Hawks player Tristan Knowles is lining up for his third games.
“All three reserves [Michael Auprince, Luke Pople and Sam White] also played for Wollongong Roller Hawks last year...so we are well represented,’’ Stibners said.
Australia, who are gunning to win a fourth straight medal at the Paralympics and a fifth medal overall since winning gold at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics, are fancied to do well in Rio.
But Stibners is adamant the Rollers’ immediate aim should be to top their “very tough’’ group which includes Netherlands, Turkey, Japan, Canada and Spain.
“In the grand scheme of things trying to win a gold medal is the ultimate goal but we have enough experience to know that you have to get in a good position after your round games and win your quarter-final,’’ he said.
“For us the focus is at the moment to do well in the round games and avoid playing Great Britain and America in that first crossover [game] so we can make the semis and put ourselves in the best position to play for a medal.
“There’s probably four or five teams that on their day can beat us. It is going to be very interesting. I look forward to the competition. Hopefully with the way we’ve trained and prepared and with a bit of luck we can get into those medal rounds.’’ The Rio Paralympics run from September 7-18.