The profound impact and legacy of legendary Paralympian Kevin Coombs will be celebrated with Wheelchair Basketball Australia’s Kevin Coombs Indigenous Round, scheduled for July 3-5.
The round, including the men’s and women’s national wheelchair basketball leagues, will be televised on Kayo’s ‘freebies’, allowing new audiences to experience one of the Paralympic Games’ flagship sports.
The round coincides with the start of NAIDOC Week, celebrating 50 years of amplifying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices under the theme “50 Years of Deadly.” NAIDOC Week originated from Aboriginal activism in the 1930s and has evolved into a national week of cultural pride, reflection and community engagement, culminating in the National NAIDOC Awards, which highlight outstanding contributions across various fields.
The Kevin Coombs Indigenous Round is named in honour of the late Uncle Kevin, a five-time Paralympian who became the first Indigenous Australian to compete at an Olympic or Paralympic Games. Uncle Kevin was one of 12 athletes who represented Australia at the first Paralympic Games, in Rome in 1960.
Coombs was a founder of Disability Sport & Recreation, which later became part of Disability Sports Australia, one of Paralympics Australia’s 25 Member Organisations.
John Palmer, Executive General Manager of Wheelchair Basketball Australia, said: “The Kevin Coombs Indigenous Round is a cornerstone of our season and we have a vision to grow this weekend into a highlight of our league.
“It is a privilege to celebrate the rich history and enduring impact of Indigenous athletes who have shaped wheelchair basketball in Australia. There is no better way to open NAIDOC week.
“We aren’t just playing for points; we are playing to honour the legacy of pioneers like Kevin Coombs and to inspire the next generation of First Nations stars.”
To mark the round, an Indigenous artwork by DJ McDowell-White will be unveiled, which represents the connection and culture of the players.
The men’s competition will play Indigenous Round at Narrandjeri Stadium in Melbourne, where all six teams will compete in one location, including a corporate challenge on Friday, followed by a function dedicated to honouring Indigenous athletes. This will be followed by a schedule of six games over the weekend.
The round’s matches in the women’s competition will include the Sydney Blues hosting the Perth Wheelcats, the Gold Coast Rollers taking on the Victoria Wonders and the Sydney Lions at home to the Adelaide Thunder.
Wheelchair Basketball Australia wished to thank partners, including Benny Mills, Leanne Miller, Outback Academy Australia, Red Dust Heelers and the Darebin Basketball Association, along with all teams in the WNWBL and NWBL for their support.
By Wheelchair Basketball Australia and David Sygall, Paralympics Australia.
Published 3 July, 2026.
"*" indicates required fields
