Boomerangs are 'young, athletic and resilient'

• Australian Boomerangs held training camp at AIS for upcoming VIRTUS World Championships in Kazakhstan
• Squad features mix of emerging stars from 2025 Ivor Burge Championships following retirement of veterans
• Coach Ryan Holloway confident in young, athletic team's potential to compete on global stage

The Australian Boomerangs coach Ryan Holloway is optimistic.

Holloway assembled his 19-player squad at the Australian Institute of Sport in late March, 2025, for a training camp ahead of the VIRTUS World Championships in Kazakhstan later this year.

"Our squad is young, athletic, and has the right attitude, which is exactly what we need to build a strong Australian team," said Holloway.

"With a blend of emerging talent and experienced leaders to guide them, we have a group that is both competitive and resilient, ready for the challenges ahead.

“This marks an exhilarating phase for the Boomerangs Program, following our Gold Medal win at the 2023 Global Games in Vichy, France.

"Boomerangs are setting the standard on the international stage, striving for continued success."

The Boomerangs are Australia’s national basketball team for athletes with an intellectual disability.

The national squad has had significant changes following the retirement of several experienced players after the 2023 Virtus Global Games.

These departures include Brad Kinross, who represented Australia across six tournaments from 2013 to 2023, and Justin Koenig, who wore the green and gold in five campaigns between 2015 and 2023.

The training camp brought together players from across the country who had impressed during the 2025 Ivor Burge Championships, with many identified in the 2024 training squad.

The squad represents diverse talent from several states, with Victoria contributing the largest contingent with eight representatives.

Tasmania has made a stellar contribution with three players selected — Brayden Cowell, Bailey Menzies, and Jeremiah Rickard (Lowe) — demonstrating the Apple Isle's growing basketball development pathways.

Western Australia's Callum Bull and Lochlan Fennell join the squad alongside South Australian twins Keenan and Zachary Georg-Dent, who will provide a unique dynamic to the team chemistry.

New South Wales will be represented by Jackson Loy and Mackingdezz Savusa, while Queensland's Isaac Van Vuuren rounds out the interstate contingent.

The VIRTUS World Championships represent the pinnacle of competition for athletes with special needs, providing an international stage for these dedicated players to showcase their skills and determination.

The Boomerangs have traditionally performed well in international competition, building a reputation for hard-nosed defense and team-oriented play. This new generation of players will be looking to uphold that proud tradition while creating their own legacy on the global stage.

Basketball Australia's commitment to inclusive pathways continues to strengthen with programs like the Boomerangs providing opportunities for all athletes to represent their country at the highest level.

As the team continues preparations for the tournament in Kazakhstan, they'll focus on building cohesion and establishing clear roles within the squad.

The blend of fresh talent and leadership from those with previous international experience will be crucial to Australia's chances of medal contention.

The full Australian Boomerangs squad for the VIRTUS World Championships includes: Callum Bull (WA), Adam Horne (VIC), Deegan Campbell, Jack Innella (VIC), Dylan Cheyne (VIC), Tj Leifi (VIC), Brayden Cowell (TAS), Jackson Loy (NSW), Frazer Dawber (VIC), Bailey Menzies (TAS), Jake De La Motte (VIC), Jeremiah Rickard (Lowe) (TAS), Matthew Farrar (VIC), Mackingdezz Savusa (NSW), Lochlan Fennell (WA), Isaac Van Vuuren (QLD), Keenan Georg-Dent (SA), Joshua Whelan (SA), and Zachary Georg-Dent (SA).

The exact dates for the VIRTUS World Championships in Kazakhstan have yet to be confirmed, but the tournament is expected to take place in the latter half of 2025, giving the Boomerangs ample time to prepare for their international campaign.

Who are the Australian Boomerangs

The Australian Boomerangs are Australia’s national basketball team for athletes with an intellectual disability. They represent the country in international competitions, including the INAS Global Games (now under the banner of Virtus Global Games), which is the world's largest sporting event for elite athletes with intellectual impairments.

• Governing body: The team operates under the umbrella of Basketball Australia and Sport Inclusion Australia, in line with the global Virtus sport movement.
• Eligibility: Players must meet classification standards for intellectual disability as set by Virtus and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
• The Boomerangs have competed with distinction in global tournaments, showcasing the talent and determination of Australian athletes with intellectual impairments.
• They play a vital role in promoting inclusion, representation, and excellence in sport for people with disabilities.