COFFS Harbour’s Bill Latham jetted off to the Tokyo Paralympics on Wednesday 18 August to help the Australian Wheelchair Basketball Team roll for gold.

The former Korora Primary School and John Paul College student has been playing on the professional circuit in Spain since 2007 and came back to Australia in June 2021 to join his team mates prepare for the Paralympics with their first match on Tuesday 24 August in Tokyo.

Bill already has one silver medal from the London Paralympics and two golds from the World Championships in the bag but believes this Paralympics is wide open.

“It’s going to be very exciting in Tokyo, they have proved from the Olympics they can put on a fantastic and safe competition.

“The competition is fierce, there’s several teams in with a strong shout for gold, the USA won the last Paralympics in Rio and Canada narrowly defeated us in the gold medal match in the London Paralympics.

“Great Britain, Spain and Turkey are also very strong and will be gold medal contenders for sure,” said Bill.

Bill plays as centre and told News Of The Area the position requires a bit of everything.

“Playing at centre you need a bit of everything, good speed around the court to attack and defend but I also need to score baskets to keep the scoreboard ticking along,” said Bill.

 

By David WIGLEY