Michael Oxley's journey in basketball began in the early 1990s in Canberra. Working for a local radio station, he first encountered the sport when the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) needed a court announcer for their team in the CBA.

"That was my first interaction, and from there, I fell in love with it," said Oxley, soon after transitioning into a basketball administration role with Basketball ACT.

In 2003, he moved to Rockhampton and discovered wheelchair basketball, which has become his passion and specialty. Reflecting on his first encounter, he shares,

"I went to a training session; they didn't have a coach or anything. Then, I jumped in a chair and fell in love with it."

Oxley saw a unique opportunity to make a significant impact.

"I felt that there were a lot of people around who could coach and help out with basketball, but the situation wasn't the same for wheelchair basketball.

So, I thought that was an area where I could make a difference and provide opportunities for people that wouldn't have had them before," said Oxley.

During his ten years in Rockhampton, Oxley played a pivotal role in building the Rock Wheelers Basketball Club. Under his guidance, the club achieved remarkable success, elevating regional wheelchair basketball to new heights.

His leadership led the Queensland Junior Wheelchair Basketball team to national titles in 2014 and 2015, and in 2015, he served as the technical assistant coach for the Australian under-25 wheelchair women's team.

Following this, Oxley moved to Hervey Bay, where there was no wheelchair basketball program. Determined to change that, he made it his mission to create one.

"It's been a journey to try and build a program here," he says.

Over the years, he has served in various roles on Maryborough Basketball committees, striving to build a community connection between wheelchair basketball and traditional basketball.

Oxley's efforts culminated in forming the Fraser Coasters Wheelchair Basketball Club, where he coaches all the top-level teams and works individually with top players.

"But I pretty well do whatever role needs doing around the club, just to be able to provide a program,

Whether that's helping organise the uniforms or fixing the wheelchairs, changing tires, helping people get to games and training, and then all of the administration side of things to be a successful, recognised club in our own identity," said Oxley.

Sport has always been a significant part of Oxley's life, and his dedication to wheelchair basketball is deeply personal.

"I love sport; it's always been a big part of my life, and my niece is a wheelchair basketballer.

While I enjoy being part of it all, it's something that not a lot of people give a lot of help to,

"I like to give people the chance to play sport in a wheelchair, either with their family members or as part of a team, that they may not have had the opportunity to do before," said Oxley.

He believes that there is transformative power in sport.

"It gives them a chance to get what I've always gotten from sport—a sense of community, family belonging," said Oxley.

Oxley encourages others to get involved, whether as players or volunteers.

"I'd encourage people, if they want to make a valued contribution, either as a player or a volunteer, that it's a great avenue and not to discount it because it's foreign to you," said Oxley

Looking ahead, Oxley's goals are clear.

"I want to be able to continue to provide pathways for players in the Wide Bay region, getting people through to represent Queensland and Australia," said Oxley.

He also aims to develop more engagement with basketball clubs and relevant bodies to establish a state league.

"I want to provide opportunities for master's athletes, too, because there are not many opportunities in that space either," said Oxley.

Through his unwavering dedication, Michael Oxley continues to impact wheelchair basketball in Queensland, creating opportunities and fostering a sense of community for all involved.