Brad Ness competing against the United States.
Camera IconBrad Ness competing against the United States. Credit: Supplied/Australian Paralympic Committee

Brad Ness wheels into fifth Paralympics team

Jessica NicoFremantle Gazette

In fact, the 41-year-old will suit up for Australia in wheelchair basketball for the fifth time in the forthcoming Rio Paralympic Games after debuting in front of a home crowd at the Sydney 2000 games.

A member of the Red Dust Heelers, who play at Wally Hagan Stadium in Hamilton Hill, Ness has seen his fair share of success playing for the green and gold, including silvers in 2000, 2004 and 2012, and a gold medal at the 2008 games in Beijing.

Named captain of the team for the third time, Ness said they were pushing to win yet another medal. “It is a massive honour to lead the boys into battle,” he said.

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“Even after four Paralympic Games, I still get nervous thinking about taking on the best in the world on the biggest stage there is.

“I never thought that I would make one, so to be doing it again the fifth time around is very special.

“I don’t take the captaincy for granted and will be aiming to lead from the front as we go for gold.”

Two other Heelers in Adam Deans and Jannik Blair were also selected for the national squad.

The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games are on from September 7 to 18.