What is NEWS?

The National Electric Wheelchair Sport or NEWS, is the pinnacle of electric wheelchair sports in Australia.  NEWS brings together Australia's elite electric wheelchair athletes for the sports of Hockey, Balloon Soccer and Rugby League.  It is held annually and is located in a different captital city each year sometime around Easter.

NEWS began in 1986 and was the inspired idea of the late Roger Melnyck, a young man with Muscular Dystophy.  The overall best team, based on Round Robin performance is awarded the prestigious Roger Melnyk Trophy.

The current NEWS competition encompasses all Australian States and New Zealand.  NEWS is a testament to the desire of young people with degenerative neuromuscular disorders to be involved in sporting activities at a National level.
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Roger Melnk Trophy (best overall team)
1986        Held in Melbourne won by Victoria
1987        Held in Perth won by Victoria
1988        Held in Adelaide won by New South Wales
1989        Held in Sydney won by New South Wales
1990        Held in Melbourne won by New South Wales
1991        Held in Melbourne won by Victoria
1992        Held in Adelaide won by South Australia
1993        Held in Adelaide won by Queensland
1994        Held in Canberra won by Queensland
1995        Held in Sydney won by Queensland
1996        Held in Sydney won by Victoria
1997        Held in Melbourne won by Victoria
1998        Held in Perth won by Victoria
1999        Held in Adelaide won by Queensland
2000        Held in Sydney won by Western Australia
2001        Held in Brisbane won by Queensland

Hockey
1986-2001        Victoria

Balloon Soccer
1987            Won by South Australia
1988            Won by South Australia
1989            Won by New South Wales
1990            Won by South Australia
1991            Won by South Australia
1992            Won by South Australia
1993            Won by South Australia
1994            Won by South Australia
1995            Won by Western Australia
1996            Won by Western Australia
1997            Won by New South Wales
1998            Won by Western Australia
1999            Won by Queensland
2000            Won by Western Australia
2001            Won by New South Wales

Rugby League
1990            Won by New South Wales
1991            Won by Queensland
1992            Won by South Australia
1993            Won by Queensland
1994            Won by New South Wales
1995            Won by Queensland
1996            Won by Queensland
1997            Won by New South Wales
1998            Won by Queensland
1999            Won by Queensland
2000            Won by Queensland
2001            Won by Queensland