The "best ever" Australian Wheelchair Rugby team will be officially announced tomorrow at Melbourne’s Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) ahead of the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.

Australian coach Brad Dubberley has declared his team the best Australian team in history and feels the squad is capable of winning Australia’s first gold medal in the sport, known as Murderball, at a Paralympic Games.

Dubberley’s glowing endorsement comes a day before the Australian Paralympic Committee officially names the Australian team to face-off against the world’s very best at the Beijing Games in September.

Australian Paralympic Committee CEO and Chef de Mission Darren Peters will make the team announcement at tomorrow’s media launch at MSAC, beginning at 11am.

The announcement coincides with the Australian Murderball team’s intensive three-day training camp, where players are currently preparing for the upcoming International Wheelchair Rugby Super Series to be held in Melbourne 21-25 May.

Australia boasts just one silver medal in Wheelchair Rugby at a Paralympic Games, but Dubberley is adamant the 2008 Steelers squad has what it takes to finally bring the coveted Gold back to Australian shores.

“It is easily the best team we have ever had, we are definitely expecting big things from this group of players,” Dubberley said.

“It’s our mental strength that sets this group apart from previous teams. It is an awesome team atmosphere... everyone is in it for each other rather than just being in it for personal glory.”

Following the training camp, which ends on Monday, the Australian team’s next major assignment will come at the International Wheelchair Rugby Super Series in Melbourne later this month.

The Steelers will battle Great Britain, Canada and Japan at the tournament, the last hit-out before the lucrative Canada Cup in June. The Aussies will be among eight of the world’s leading teams in Canada, joining New Zealand, the United States, Japan, China, Great Britain, Germany and the hosts.

“We’re definitely looking forward to Beijing, but before we get there we’re concentrating on getting things right at the Super Series in front of our home fans,” Dubberley said.

“We’ll work on some things during the tournament and then look to build further at the Canada Cup, which will really help us prepare for the big dance in Beijing in September.”

Further information: Australian Paralympic Committee (02) 9704 0500 or visit: www.paralympic.com.au

(8 May 2008)