Ballarat, VIC

An Iron Tigers Basketball Club athlete and coach have returned to the Central Coast with a national bronze medal after representing New South Wales at the Ivor Burge Championships in Ballarat, Victoria.

Iron Tigers Under 20s player David Lusunzi was selected as a member of the NSW playing squad, while Iron Tigers Founder and Director Matt Shorrock was appointed as an Assistant Coach. The week-long tournament brought together state teams from across Australia, along with international opposition from New Zealand, with NSW finishing third overall to claim the bronze medal.

The Ivor Burge Championships are the national basketball championships for athletes with an intellectual impairment and represent the highest level of the sport in Australia. The tournament was established through a partnership between Basketball Australia and AUSRAPID, following Australia’s international debut in basketball for athletes with an intellectual impairment at the 1992 Paralympic Games in Barcelona.

Lusunzi’s selection and performance are the result of consistent commitment and development. He currently plays with the Iron Tigers U20s in the Terrigal competition and also participates in the Special Olympics program, training out of Niagara Park on Saturday mornings as well as participating in tournaments across the state. His contribution throughout the tournament reflected both his growth as a player and his ability to compete on the national stage.

For Shorrock, the appointment as Assistant Coach carried a deeper personal significance.

“Being part of this program wasn’t just about coaching at a national level,” Shorrock said. “I wanted to be involved to show my son’s Ben & Charlie, both of whom have an intellectual impairment, that barriers don’t define what’s possible. Sport can open doors, build confidence, and create pathways to achieve things people might think are out of reach.”

“Watching David compete on the national stage and earn a bronze medal is a powerful example of that. He earned his place through effort, commitment, and belief. I hope stories like his show kids and families that there are genuine opportunities to strive for and achieve greatness, regardless of the challenges they face.”

The achievement highlights the importance of inclusive basketball pathways and the role local clubs play in supporting athletes at every level. Iron Tigers Basketball Club continues to prioritise development, opportunity, and community connection across the Central Coast.

Iron Tigers Basketball Club welcomes players of all skills and abilities and is committed to creating inclusive pathways into the sport. The club runs teams and training programs across multiple age groups, including the recently launched Tiger Cubs Skills & Play program for children aged 3–5, and Home School Hoopers for children aged 6 and over, alongside its junior and senior competition teams.