Oceania champs beckon Taranaki wheelchair basketballer – Stuff.co.nz

MIKE WATSON

Last updated15:12, May 21 2017

ANDY JACKSON/Fairfax NZ

National Roller Ball wheelchair basketballer Ben Hekenui, of New Plymouth, preparing for the Oceania champs in China.

A national wheelchair basketball player has called for more people with disabilities to join the sport.

Taranaki's sole New Zealand repBen Hekenuiwarmed up for the Oceania championships later in the year with a solid workout in the northern league tournament at New Plymouthon Saturday.

Hekenuiand his Mid West teammates were upset byAuckland 26-15 inahardfoughtfinal at the TSB Stadium.

The Mid West team were top seeds at the weekend's tournament which is played each month alternating between four centres- NewPlymouth, Cambridge, Tauranga and Auckland.

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A shortage of players forced Taranaki to join Bay of Plenty to field a combined team.

The Countdown meat assistant is the regions only national representative in the Roller Blacks side to travel to the Oceaniachampionships in China in October.

It will be Hekenui's first experience at international competition although he hadtravelledtwice to Sydneyfor the Slam Down Underchampionships, picking up the Master's division team title.

Hekenuiencouragedthose with a disabilityto try the sport out.

The former rugby league and rugby union player had playedwheelchair basketball for six seasonsafterlosing both legs in an industrial accident nine years ago.

He had been in the national squad for the last fouryears.

"I enjoythe physical nature of wheelchair basketball, there's a good amount of close contact in the gamesbut also good sportsmanship both on and off the court,"he said.

"We're getting more people involved but we always need more.

"It may not be for everyone but it's worth coming along to see it suits you and there is a lot of support."

Hekenuikept fit with regular weight training, and on court training to help build arm and shoulder muscles.

He also cycled long distances, and hadtwice completed the final 44km leg from Pembroke Road, Stratford to New Plymouth in the annual Round the Mountain race.

"It's quite a skilledsport to play, you need to be fit inthe upper body.

"One of the hardest skills is being able to judge your speed as you approach the three-point line andshoot for goal,"he said.

Para Fed Taranakico-ordinator Tracy Coker said the northern league tournament was popular with sport peoplewho have become disabled through spinal injuries, cerebral palsy or amputations.

"Wheelchair Basket Ball New Zealand are working hard to grow the sport.

"We need more referees and Taranaki basketball and the national body are focusing on training courses," she said.

-Taranaki Daily News

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Oceania champs beckon Taranaki wheelchair basketballer - Stuff.co.nz