The Gliders will be banking on that big-match experience as they head to Toronto in June looking to secure a first World Championship medal since taking bronze in Kitakyushu, Japan in 2002.

At London 2012, the Aussies lost out to Germany in the gold medal match and will be looking to veterans Kylie Gauci, Sarah Stewart and Shelley Chaplin to lead them one step further at this year's World Championships.

The experienced trio will be joined by fellow Paralympic silver medallists Cobi Crispin, Sarah Vinci, Leanne Del Toso, Bridie Kean, Clare Nott and Amber Merritt, while Kathleen O'Kelly-Kennedy and major tournament debutants Shelly Cronau and Stephanie van Leeuwen complete the 12-strong line-up.

"I'm very happy with the squad selected - we have a good mix of high, mid and low pointers plus a good mix of youth and experience, with nine players returning from the London Paralympic campaign," said Gliders head coach, Tom Kyle, who will be in charge of the side for the first time at a World Championships.

"This is a very exciting time for the Gliders.

"The group has bonded behind our goal extremely well over the past 10 months and I feel this is the closest the group has been in years.

"The entire team is extremely excited with the opportunity to further prove themselves at the World Championships in Toronto.

"The team knows that if they play to their potential it will take a mighty effort for our opponents to beat us.

"This group is strong in their belief that a medal, and indeed the ultimate medal, is within their control."

Cobi Crispin and Clare Nott will be hoping to be celebrating a first World Championship win for Australia in Toronto later this year ©Getty Images



If Kyle and his team are to better Australia's best finish of bronze then they will have to do it the hard way. as they face reigning world champions the United States in their opening Pool A match at the Mattamy Centre on June 20.

They will also face a clash with London 2012 bronze medal winners the Netherlands while France, Mexico and Peru will provide tricky opposition.

Pool B is made up of hosts and four-time winners Canada, Paralympic champions Germany, Great Britain, Brazil and Asian rivals China and Japan.

The 2014 Women's Wheelchair Basketball World Championships run from June 20 to 28 in Toronto and with 12 teams taking part will be largest to date.

To view a full competition schedule for the event click here, while details on purchasing tickets can be found here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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