60+ names: Players at Rocky Bash Wheelchair Basketball Tournament

A father and son duo will join forces to help one of the host teams chase glory at this weekend’s Rocky Bash. See where the teams are coming from and who’s playing.

Father and son Ben and Matthew Lodewikus will play for the Rockwheelers Black A-grade team at the Rocky Bash Wheelchair Basketball Tournament this weekend.

Ben Lodewikus is gearing up for a special weekend, teaming up with son Matthew for the Rocky Bash Wheelchair Basketball Tournament.

The duo will take to the court with Rockwheelers Black in the A-grade division at the two-day tournament, which tips off at Rockhampton’s Bravus Arena at 8am Saturday morning.

Nine mixed teams will take part in the event, hosted by the Frenchville Rockwheelers.

The club will field two teams in A-grade alongside outfits from Mackay, the Fraser Coast, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba.

Members of the Frenchville Rockwheelers at a recent tournament.

Rockhampton, Fraser Coast and Sunshine Coast teams will battle for B-grade honours.

As well as playing, Ben is the tournament organiser and urged spectators to head along and take in the action.

“People will enjoy it,” he said.

“It’s very physical and we’re all very competitive.

“We play four 10-minute quarters and it’s really demanding. You have to put a lot of effort in.”

An able-bodied participant, Ben said he was looking forward to playing with Matthew, who has mild cerebral palsy.

“It will be awesome. I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

Young players Harry Edwards and Ellie Bloomfield will be on court this weekend.

“We don’t get to play together too often so win or lose, it’s going to be a great weekend for us.”

Ben has played for more than 20 years.

“I had a mate in town who had a disability who was looking for something to do,” he said.

“We found the Rockwheelers and I’ve been playing ever since and Matthew then started playing as well.”

Ben said competitors this weekend would range in age from eight to 62.

Round games will be played on Saturday and grading games on Sunday, with the B-grade final at 11am and the A-grade decider at noon.

How the teams line up

A-grade

Suncoast Spinners: Kylie Reynolds, Rohan McDonald, Sean Tucker, Darcy Burns, Glen Fleming, Lachlan Fleming, Nicki Liddle.

Fraser Coasters: Will O’Neil, Mark McIntosh, Erin Millers, Michael Oxley, Jess O’Neal, Braydon Packer.

Rockwheelers Black: Ben Lodewikus, Karl Anderson, Matt Lodewikus, Scott Simmons, Todd Anderson, Ellie Bloomfield.

Rockwheelers Green: Peter Voltz, Terry Ansell, Dylan Robinson, Ollie Bloomfield, Adam Schreiweis, Charles Smart.

Mackay Machines: Jordan Williams, Zac Uhr, Cherri Gennings, Connor Gennings, Hayden Siebuhr, Ryan Williams.

Toowoomba: Lachlan Steinhort, Dylan Barber, Curtis Barber, Kim Spark, Rodney Dahlheimer, Paul Crawford.

B-grade

Suncoast Spinners: Harry Leather, Kim Looker, Lisa Davis, Caleb Davis, Josh Davis, Matt Rhoden, Drew Rhoden, Charlie Rhoden, Troy Stegert.

Rockwheelers Black: Mitch, Dan, Corey, Harry, Lincoln Lamaro, Jeremy Thorpe, Paul Gooda, Pam Jones (Suncoast Spinners).

Fraser Coasters: Peter Kalbfell, Aldert Dreyer, David Warry, Sephi Kalbfell, Jordan McIntosh, Craig Botcher, Taylor Peterson, Rees McIntosh.

Originally published as 60+ names: Players at Rocky Bash Wheelchair Basketball Tournament