Latest news with #PerthWheelcats
Daily Mail
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ben Cousins celebrates his family member's wheelchair basketball success in a rare glimpse into his private life
Footy legend Ben Cousins has grabbed his second chance at life after finally beating his drug addiction - and his family-first ethos was on display recently when he showed off his pride in a relative after attending her basketball game. Cousins, 47, was courtside watching his cousin Ebony, who is a member of the Perth Wheelcats wheelchair hoops team. The former West Coast Eagles captain posted an Instagram story where he proudly posed with the youngster - before adding a video of Ebony in action. 'She is my inspirational 14-year-old cousin,' Cousins told his followers. 'In awe watching her incredible work for the Perth Wheelcats.' It comes after the AFL premiership winner recently enjoyed a family holiday in the Kimberley region of Western Australia with his two children, Angelique and Bobby. Cousins was also joined on a cruise by a host of other A-list Australian celebrities, including radio presenter Fifi Box, former host of The Project Carrie Bickmore, plus ex-West Coast Eagles teammate Chris Judd and his wife Bec Judd. 'Holidays up North….even better than I remembered,' he posted. 'Great stay (at) Kimberley Sands Resort, already planning a trip back.' Cousins' battles with addiction have been well documented since they became public in 2007 following a series of alarming off-field incidents, including arrests and suspensions. He was suspended from the AFL in 2007 and returned in 2009 to play two seasons with Richmond before retiring. Cousins faced numerous legal issues between 2010 and 2019, including drug possession, breaching restraining orders and stalking, which led to multiple stints in jail. He was last behind bars in 2019 - but since then, Cousins has kept his nose clean. The champion midfielder is in great shape physically, and now works in the media for Channel 7 - and previously co-hosted a Perth breakfast radio show.
West Australian
30-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Perth Paralympic star Taishar Ovens lauds expanded National Wheelchair Basketball League
Perth Wheelcats veteran and Paralympic star Taishar Ovens hopes an expanded National Wheelchair Basketball League will boost Australia on the global stage. Ovens' decorated decade-long career has seen her fly the flag for her nation at international events multiple times, including the Tokyo Paralympics. And she hopes the national competition expanding from four teams to six this season will help find the next generation of stars and push Australia towards Paralympic gold. 'Having more teams and more competition means hopefully we are going to get more players in the pathways to the Gliders and the Devils to be a more competitive national team,' she told The West Australian. 'Super excited to have some more rounds and women's teams this season and have some good healthy competition, which we've been lacking for a while. 'It's the biggest expansion we've had in a while, and it's just been driven by the number of people who want to be involved. 'Post COVID-19 (the growth) has been insane, I would say, even overseas with Australian players going over there to play, and now it's coming back into Australia.' Ovens has previously represented the Red Dust Heelers but says playing for her home team in Perth is 'special'. 'Coming back to a Perth team and playing in my home state is really special because you can get your family and friends around the games a lot more,' the 27-year-old said. 'I think with Perth, we're very lucky; we've got some really good natural talent. 'We like to play a real team game, but a big one to look out for is Ebony (Stevenson), who won rookie of the year last year, so hopefully, we see some good things from her again this season.' Perth will be hunting their fourth women's national title when the league tips off on May 30.
Perth Now
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Perth Paralympic star's big hopes for wheelchair basketball
Perth Wheelcats veteran and Paralympic star Taishar Ovens hopes an expanded National Wheelchair Basketball League will boost Australia on the global stage. Ovens' decorated decade-long career has seen her fly the flag for her nation at international events multiple times, including the Tokyo Paralympics. And she hopes the national competition expanding from four teams to six this season will help find the next generation of stars and push Australia towards Paralympic gold. 'Having more teams and more competition means hopefully we are going to get more players in the pathways to the Gliders and the Devils to be a more competitive national team,' she told The West Australian. 'Super excited to have some more rounds and women's teams this season and have some good healthy competition, which we've been lacking for a while. 'It's the biggest expansion we've had in a while, and it's just been driven by the number of people who want to be involved. 'Post COVID-19 (the growth) has been insane, I would say, even overseas with Australian players going over there to play, and now it's coming back into Australia.' Ovens has previously represented the Red Dust Heelers but says playing for her home team in Perth is 'special'. 'Coming back to a Perth team and playing in my home state is really special because you can get your family and friends around the games a lot more,' the 27-year-old said. 'I think with Perth, we're very lucky; we've got some really good natural talent. 'We like to play a real team game, but a big one to look out for is Ebony (Stevenson), who won rookie of the year last year, so hopefully, we see some good things from her again this season.' Perth will be hunting their fourth women's national title when the league tips off on May 30.
