Liesl Tesch plays national league

Woy Woy resident and Australian Paralympian Liesl Tesch has signed to play for the "Wenty Leagues" Wheelkings in the National Wheelchair Basketball League, marking the first time for some years the basketball journeywoman will be settling in on home soil.

"Tesch is renowned for her penchant for international travel, competing as a player in the Professional Wheelchair Basketball League in Italy and other well-frequented areas of Europe," said Parramatta Basketball Association media officer Mr Noel Rowsell.

"There are also, occasionally, some far less popular or publicised international trips on the agenda, with Tesch undertaking promotional-coaching stints with disabled athletes in war-torn regions.

"Tesch, who plays as a high-pointer, is also member of the Australian women's wheelchair basketball team, the Gliders, but plays a lesser role in the male-dominated Wheelkings line-up, coming off the bench as sixth or seventh player.

"The points categories in wheelchair basketball are determined by the physical limitations of the respective players, ranging from one-point players with high disability up to four or five points for players with low disability.

"There is an allowable maximum of 14 points on court at any time, meaning the on-court line-up of all teams must consist of a mix of both high and low-point players.

"The Wheelkings are based at the Blacktown Leisure Centre, Stanhope Gardens, but are away from home for the next three weeks due to a bye and road trips."

The Wheelkings next home game is a double-header against the Dandenong Rangers on August 10 and 12, with the Friday night game tipping off at 7pm and the Sunday game at 11am.

Press release, 17 Jul 2007 Noel Rowsell, Parramatta Basketball Association