Wheelchair Basketball Illawarra Festival 2025, presented by Forward Ability & BrightSky Australia

An action-packed five days, with a range of divisions and opportunities, for everyone to be involved in the festival.

MASTERS: Wed 29th / Thurs 30th Oct, 7pm to 9pm at Shellharbour City Stadium
A social but competitive competition for players over 40 years of age. A chance for both current and former players to get on court and have some fun! Both team and individual entries are accepted. If entries permit, a female only division may be included.
Points on Court: 14 points
Point Deductions: 50+ yrs - 1/2 point off // 60+ yrs - 1 point off // 70+ yrs - 1.5 point off
Game Structure: 10-minute halves, running clock.

MOGO 3x3: Fri 31st Oct, 6:30pm to 9pm at Illawarra Sports Stadium 
Sponsored by Mogo Wheelchairs, the exciting 3x3 tournament is in its fourth year at the Wheelchair Basketball Illawarra Festival. Both team and individual entries are accepted. A Junior Division (16yrs and under) and/or a Female Division, will be included subject to entries. Otherwise, junior and female entries will be integrated into the main draw. If you con not fill a full team, we can run a draft to create teams.
Points on Court: 3x3 Open Teams - 8.5 points*
Point Deductions: Juniors 16 years and under & females will receive a 1-point deduction.

Points on Court: 3x3 Junior & Female only - 9.5 points*

Game Structure: 10-minute games, or first to 21 points - whichever comes first. 
*Note: Points on court for Open division may be flexible, at discretion of organisers, if the team includes juniors. Leniency on the points cap will also apply to the junior & female only divisions, at discretion of organisers. Teams must seek approval prior to the event if they want to enter a team over the designated points. Leniency will be applied purely to encourage participation while ensuring fairness.

DIVISION 1 ELITE: Sat 1 & Sun 2 Nov (full days) Illawarra Sports Stadium
An elite competition for athletes capable of playing in the Men’s and/or Women’s National Wheelchair Basketball Leagues or equivalent. Athletes should be classifiable, including Able Bodied as 4.5, with max 2 x 4.5's on court per National League Rules.

Div 1 Elite Open:
Points on Court: 14 points*
Point Deductions: Juniors (16yrs and under) & Females will receive a 1-point deduction.
Game Structure: 4 x 10-minute quarters, regular clock.

Div 1 Elite Female:
Points on Court: 14 points*
Point Deductions: Juniors (16yrs and under) will receive a 1-point deduction.
Game Structure: 4 x 10-minute quarters, regular clock.

*Note: If the points on court rule restricts the Division 1 competitions from progressing due to the availability of National League / elite players, some flexibility will be given for all registered Div 1 teams, at the discretion of organisers. Teams must seek approval prior to the event if they need to enter a team over 14 points.

DIVISION 2 INTERMEDIATE: Sat 1 & Sun 2 Nov (full days) Illawarra Sports Stadium
The intermediate competition is for athletes who are regular participants in wheelchair basketball and may compete at Club League. Division 2 is played under the 3/2 rule, max 2 able-bodied athletes (of any gender) on court. Team managers and coaches should prioritise court time for players with disability where possible. Teams that consist of more than 2 able-bodied players (on court) can play but are not eligible to win the tournament.
Div 2 Intermediate - Open (Male, female & mixed teams are accepted)
Points on Court: 16 points
Point Deductions: Juniors (16yrs and under) and Females will receive a 1-point deduction.
Game Structure: 2 x 12-min halves, running clock, stop clock last 1min in the 2nd half.

Div 2 Intermediate - Female: (Games will be schedule to best ability to avoid clashes with Opens)
Points on Court: 16 points*
Point Deductions: Juniors (16yrs and under) will receive a 1-point deduction.
Game Structure: 2 x 12-min halves, running clock, stop clock last 1min in the 2nd half.
*Note: Flexibility will be given to points on court for Div 2 female games, at the discretion of organisers, to encouraging participation and development of our female competition, while ensuring fairness.

Additional Rules:
•    No current male national league players to play in Div 2, unless they are junior (16yrs & under) and agreed to by organisers prior to the event. 
•    Players from the Div 1 competition cannot play down in Div 2 or Div 3 teams. However, our female players that play in the female only Div 1 can play in Div 1 Opens or Div 2, this is to support the development of our female players. 
•    See details below regarding "Playing Up / Down Divisions".
Athletes with a disability do not need to be officially classified. However, if not classified a fair nominal classification estimate must be provided upon registration. This will be reviewed by organisers. If you are an Able Body or not classifiable, please note AB under the classification section when registering.

DIVISION 3 SOCIAL: Sat 1 & Sun 2 Nov (full days) Illawarra Sports Stadium

Div 3 Social – Open: 
Male, female, junior (16yrs and under) & mixed teams. Individuals can enter and be placed in a suitable team. Entry level wheelchair basketball games, no classification required, a fun way to learn the rules and format of a wheelchair basketball game. 

Div 3 Social - Female:
Open to all females. Games will be scheduled (as best possible) so they do not clash with Div 2 & Div 3 comps. 

Div 3 Social – Junior: 
The second year for our junior competition, open to all juniors, 16yrs and under. Games will be scheduled, as best possible so they do not clash with the Open Div 2 & Div 3 comps.

Game Structure: 2 x 12-minute halves, running clock.

PLAYING UP / DOWN DIVISIONS
1.    If a person plays up a division for 2 or more games, they cannot regress back down to a lower grade. To be considered to have played "up a grade" they will have appeared on the scoresheet for 2 games. This specifically applies to Division 1 and 2. 
2.    One senior (higher grade) player (per team) will be allowed to regress down to participate in Division 3 in a coaching/leading role only. Any baskets they score will not be counted. This is intended to allow coaching/guidance for teams consisting of children and beginners. This does not apply to previous Division 1 & 2 players who are aged or injured and register to play in Division 3 only.

For more information, view the Wheelchair Basketball Illawarra Festival Fact Sheet or contact your Wheelchair Basketball Club Leader or Wheelchair Sports Coordinator - Marta Myhill M: 0408 358 605 I martam@wsnsw.org.au