Synot backs resurgent Gliders to pressure world’s best

• Bold new green and gold with First Nations assist
• Jeremy Synot was named Australian Gliders head coach in April after being the interim from December, 2025
• The Gliders coaching staff features two-time Paralympian Matt McShane and WNBL legend Kelsey Griffin

Months and months of hard work will come to fruition as the Australian Gliders take on the world.

The Australian women's wheelchair basketball team will start their IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships in Ottawa, Canada tonight against China with the aim of taking the green and gold back to the upper echelon of the sport.

Heading into the tournament full of confidence after going 3-1 at a qualifying tournament earlier this year, coach Jeremy Synot said the Gliders were building towards this very moment since he was appointed to the position in April.

"We have been building really well. We have spent a week prior to the tournament here and had two really competitive hitouts against The Netherlands and the USA who are world class, so it gives us a great indication of where we are at," he told basketball.com.au.

"Our recent performances in qualifying showed us several things, firstly confidence that this brand we are developing is yielding results.

"I think from a basketball perspective that our defensive pressure up the floor creates scoring opportunities on the offensive end. Finally, when we reduce lapses and stay consistent we can put good teams under pressure.

Australia face a tough task to reach their goals at the tournament with a draw featuring China, Argentina, the hometown team of Canada, Turkiye and Brazil before the crossover stages.

But, just like any Australian national team, they will take up the challenge head on with a team full of talent and experience as well as one full of inspirational stories to represent their country on the biggest stage.

"We have so many players with great stories but Katelin Gunn coming out of South Australia is a great example," Synot said.

"She's been in the game for four years after a career as a junior AFL footballer. She has just gone from strength to strength and is a great example of a player who is bearing fruit from her work now. S

"Also Shelley Matheson is three-time Paralympian, who is a mother-of-two, and living proof that being an athlete and a mum returning to sport that playing at the highest level is more than possible."

While the Gliders are full of talent, Synot also has a secret weapon at his disposal.

It's his star-studded coaching staff, which includes two-time Paralympian Matt McShane who also won a bronze medal with the men's wheelchair basketball team at the 2018 World Championships, as well as the greatest import to play in the WNBL in five-time champion and former league MVP in Bendigo Spirit's Kelsey Griffin.

"Matt as well as KG must be a massive help as a coach," Synot said.

"Having coaches of their calibre is one of the biggest reasons for our improvement.

"Both KG and Matt bring such a variety of skills in addition to their basketball IQ, which is so high, and together we have just clicked. Having the lived experience these two have is just invaluable to not just our playing group, but to me."

Synot said the team's focus going into the World Championships was on their defence, something that will be tested in the tournament opener tonight against China.

"I think our aim is being able defend scoring threats in a variety of different ways. The international game is just so fast so having flexibility within our structures and executing is always the toughest challenge," he said.

"Against China, the goal is always to try and get the win.

"They are incredibly athletic and disciplined and have been a top four side in the world now for some time. Being able to stop their transition offensive through ball pressure will be pivotal for us."

The Gliders' World Championships campaign starts against China tonight at 11.45pm AEST.