If there’s a trait that resonates from Shaun Norris and his career, it’s competitiveness.
Born in Queensland before shifting to Western Australia in his early years, the history-making veteran channelled his competitive spirit into a trailblazing career in the game of wheelchair basketball.
Although he’s become synonymous as a member of the Australian Rollers on the basketball court – the first spark started in the pool.
“This whole journey started just before I was ten years old. I was originally a swimmer when I was living in Queensland. And I think from the very first moment I ever got into the pool my competitive nature kind of set in immediately,” said Norris
“I was a disabled kid swimming against abled kids and just trying to beat everyone. And you know, I think at that time I was maybe the second quickest kid at the swimming club just using my arms. It’s pretty wild thinking back to that.”
A shift West and a conveniently timed newspaper article led Norris to wheelchair basketball – a game that would pave an incredible journey.
“We moved to Perth to be closer to family and there was a newspaper article for a swimming competition for kids with disabilities. And yeah, my mum entered me into it,”
“I think I had something like six gold and two silver medals at the first swimming event and it was my first time being part of that disability circle, and then we found out there was also track and field and other sports you could do including basketball,” said Norris.
“I was pretty much hooked immediately. We were still living in Wongan Hills at the time, so mum, bless her heart, would do a four-hour round trip for a game to play and she could sense I was so engrossed in it and was like ‘okay, we obviously have to move closer’,”
Lofty aspirations weren’t a part of Norris’ motivation in the early years – which adds an extra element on the eve of becoming one of only three Rollers to represent Australia at six Paralympic tournaments.
“I think as a kid I didn't really understand a lot of it. You know, I was just being in the moment every day. No doubt, the effort was always there from the very beginning. I was competitive and never wanted to lose,” said Norris
“At the start, my mindset was to just get down every day and you know, have fun, give it everything you got. And then I guess it was only when I was about 14 to 15 years old after watching the Sydney 2000 Paralympics. I had a moment where I thought, oh, there's more to basketball here than you know,” said Norris.
“If I had the desire to do so, I could represent Australia. If I wanted to. If I'm good enough. I can make it to that level. From there I realised that there’s pathways to get recognised, which started with the National Championships through the junior club system.”
“Around about when I was 15, people started to take note that I had potential, which evolved into becoming a part of the training squad for the Australian Rollers.”
A formative moment arrived for Norris with his first international competition at the Roosevelt Tournament in America which provided an introduction to the elite level.
“I remember it was USA versus Canada and there was a top viewing platform really close to the courts. There was no rail, no stands or anything, so you're really close to the game. I just remember watching for the first time and seeing international basketball and going like, wow, this is unreal,” said Norris.
“I sort of knew. This is exactly what I want to do. This could be my future. You know, it's such a high level. It's intimidating, but at the same time as a 15-year-old kid it was so exciting to be there and be part of it,”
“You don't understand how fast the game is until you're in it and to be exposed to it for the first time, it was unreal. I was like, my god, this is so fast. Now it feels fine, but you have a lot of common conversations with players of that moment. The speed of the international game at the start.”
Norris went on to become a versatile utility player for the Rollers breaking into the side before the Athens 2004 Paralympics. He collected his first medal as part of the team that won silver in Athens, which would be the first of many during a glorious decade for the program.
Amidst two gold medals (2010, 2014) and bronze medals (2006, 2018) at World Cups – Norris would play a role in the Beijing breakthrough in 2008.
There are only two other members from the Beijing triumph against Canada that remain with the Rollers – one being head coach Brad Ness and the other, history-making teammate Tristan Knowles.
Now a senior member and custodian of the program, Norris, alongside Ness and Knowles understands the importance of establishing an exchange of culture for the program.
“I mean, to be part of the Rollers, you have to buy in. You have to be 100% invested in it. You need to be able to commit to the culture and respect the little things that make the team better as a whole,” said Norris.
“It's important to give everything, you've got to respect the program and want to be a part of it.”
With a hunger to return to the podium after missing out in the last two campaigns, six debutants will attempt to mesh with the experience of Norris and Knowles to chase the greatest of prizes.
“It's been a very interesting ride. To be part of this new journey with a new group, a lot of young talent. From being the youngest in the team to now being one of the oldest senior guys,” said Norris.
“It's been a fascinating process over the last few years, really just seeing what these players are capable of and how we can leverage their strengths and abilities to establish a strong brand of basketball,”
“I definitely think that we've positioned ourselves to really perform well and it’s going to allow the strengths of players to shine through. So yeah, really exciting, I think that when it all clicks, I don't think there's any team on Earth that could stay with us at this stage.”
More featured content is on the way with Ford x Basketball Australia's - Keep on Rollin' series.
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