Originally published by Warragul Drouin Gazette May 9, 2026
Warragul Basketball Association has announced the launch of Wheelchair Hoops Warragul, Gippsland’s first ongoing wheelchair basketball program.
The announcement comes following a successful come and try event held on Saturday 18 April at the Warragul Leisure Centre.
More than a dozen participants took part across two sessions – an open mixed session and a dedicated women and girls only session – with sports wheelchairs, coaching and all equipment provided free of charge.
The response exceeded expectations and confirmed strong community appetite for the sport in the region.
Building on that momentum, Wheelchair Hoops Warragul is a five-week pilot season running every Wednesday from 27
May to 24 June from 6:30-7:30pm on court two at the Warragul Leisure Centre.
The program is open to everyone – no disability, experience or equipment required. All participants use sports wheelchairs during sessions, putting everyone on an equal footing from the first whistle.
Trained coaches supported by Basketball Victoria will run every session, with a structured format of skill development, drills and gameplay.
Registration costs $50 for the full five-week season. Sports wheelchairs are provided – participants need only bring sports clothes and a water bottle.
The come and try event marked the first time wheelchair basketball had been formally offered to the Gippsland community.
The success of the day – and the enthusiasm of everyone who attended – validated the WBA’s ambition to establish a permanent local program and ultimately field a Gippsland team in the Victorian Wheelchair Basketball League (VWBL).
