2024 Novita SANFL Wheelchair Football League spins off

By JORDAN ROUTLEY

The Novita SANFL Wheelchair League is back for 2024, with the new season to get underway on Friday at The Lights Community and Sports Centre, Lightsview.

Last year’s grand finalists, Sturt and Woodville-West Torrens, will face off at 6:20 pm, while Norwood and Central District will take the court at 8:00 pm.

In an exciting first for the SANFL Wheelchair League, all games will be live streamed on SANFL Now, with the first round available for free to all viewers.

Now in its fourth season, the SANFL Wheelchair League sees clubs play each other three times over a nine-week season before the top two teams advance to the grand final.

Sturt have won the league’s first three premierships, but with all teams welcoming a host of new players the competition is tighter than ever.

Last year’s runners-up Woodville-West Torrens have brought in several exciting new players that have captain/coach Trevor Jarrett excited about his team’s prospects.

“We have five new players joining us this year and most of them are quite young which is good,” Jarrett said.

Two such players are Cooper Spillane and Kane Downie, who are both members of the Australian under-23 wheelchair basketball squad.

“They have marvellous chair skills and are both very quick.”

Taking on the captaincy this year following the departure of Chris Simpson, Jarrett also received a late call-up to coach the team after Mark Sicolo withdrew due to possible selection in the Australian para-archery squad.

“When Mark advised the club of his decision to stand aside they asked me if I’d do it and I thought, ‘yeah I’ll do it.’”

While coaching on the court presents its challenges, Jarrett will be assisted by Woodville-West Torrens’ women’s coach Narelle Smith.

“Narelle will probably oversee things from the boundary line and her input will be absolutely invaluable.”

Jarrett is full of praise for his club and the support the wheelchair team receives.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the club. They have backed us 100% and given us everything we need and more, so now it is up to us to repay them by getting some results.”

Looking ahead to tonight’s grand final rematch, there will be plenty to play for between Sturt and Woodville-West Torrens, who have contested the last two grand finals.

“There is that extra bit of motivation for the guys that were there last season and the season before,” Jarrett said.

“We are definitely stronger in pace and in youth so we are hoping we can go one step better this year.”

Norwood also look to be an emerging force in the SANFL Wheelchair League and are in a strong position heading into the 2024 season.

The Redlegs have added former Woodville-West Torrens captain Chris Simpson, with Norwood skipper Grant Leonard wrapt to have him on board.

“Chris will help us be able to move some of our players around the court and have a good spread of players,” Leonard said.

After a couple of down years following a grand final appearance in the inaugural season, Leonard is expecting his team to start climbing up the ladder in 2024.

“The second and third years were about rebuilding and getting some experience, but now that we are into year four it is time to knuckle down and get these wins.

“The support from the club has been fantastic over the past three years and we have a new Football Operations Manager in Richard Kelly who has really embraced the team.”

Casting an eye forward to tonight’s clash with Central District, Leonard is keen to get back on the court and measure up against the team they met in last year’s third-placed playoff.

“We have been pretty even with them over the last couple of years, so we’re excited to get back and hopefully get on the winner’s list,” Leonard said.

An inaugural member of the Norwood team, Leonard has noticed a big shift in the standard and development of the league over the past four seasons.

“There has been massive growth over the past few years, we are still getting more players coming along that are new to the game so to get that growth is exciting.

“The extra exposure is great. It gives kids who have an injury or illness or physical disability a game that they can join in with their family and friends.

“We have been pretty even with them over the last couple of years, so we’re excited to get back and hopefully get on the winner’s list.”