Australian Wheelchair Basketball Player Jeremy Doyle Loses Battle with Cancer

“The Australian men’s Wheelchair Basketball squad is a very close-knit group and this sad news will hit them hard."

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) would like to extend its condolences to the family and friends of Australian Wheelchair Basketball player Jeremy Doyle who lost his battle with cancer Sunday (18 December).

The 28-year-old passed away in hospital in Sydney with his wife by his side.

Jason Hellwig, Chief Executive of the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC), said: “The APC is devastated and saddened after learning that Jeremy’s courageous fight has come to an end. Our condolences and best wishes are with his wife, his family and his friends.

“Jeremy was an outstanding athlete and an inspirational individual who lived life to the fullest. He will be dearly missed by not only the Australian Paralympic family, but by all who knew him.”

Jeremy made his debut for the Australian men’s Wheelchair Basketball team, the Rollers, during their victorious 2009 Paralympic World Cup campaign in England, before also featuring in their victory at the 2009 Rollers World Challenge in Sydney.

In early 2010, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer.

After enduring gruelling surgery and treatment he fought his way into the Australian team for the 2010 World Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Birmingham, England.

The Rollers won the gold medal, the first ever won by an Australian men’s Wheelchair Basketball team at a World Championships, with Doyle playing an integral role as point guard.

His last game for Australia came at the 2011 Tri-Nations Series in Canberra in June, which again, fittingly, was won by the Rollers.

“The Australian men’s Wheelchair Basketball squad is a very close-knit group and this sad news will hit them hard,” Hellwig said.

“Our thoughts are with his teammates at this very difficult time, and we wish them the very best as they continue their preparations for the London Paralympic Games. We know they will honour Jeremy on the court, as I’m sure the whole 2012 Australian Paralympic Team will.”