Victoria Simpson could be heading to 2021 Tokyo Paralympics following Australian Gliders selection

Well that dream might well be fast-tracked by three years following the teenager's selection in the 2021 Australian senior women's wheelchair basketball squad.

Basketball Australia announced the 20-person Gliders squad on Australia Day, with players vying for selection in the final team to represent Australia at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics from August 24 to September 5.

That final team of 12 is expected to be revealed at the next squad camp in March.

It's a new-look Gliders squad, with just two previous Paralympians named in the side and Simpson is the youngest of them.

Her selection saw her attend the first camp at Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra from January 28 to February 4.

While the camp was a big jump in her sporting career, the now 15-year-old from Red Bend Catholic College was just glad to be back with her mates.

The last time Simpson played wheelchair basketball and took part in any kind of competition was at the start of 2020 with the NSW Kevin Coombs Cup State Championships, before Covid hit.

At the height of the pandemic in Australia last year she was still training in track, doing weights and physio. But couldn't play basketball because there was nowhere to train.

Victoria's mum Deanne Simpson said last year was meant to be a big year in sport for her daughter as she was scheduled to have back surgery in 2021.

That's now been put on hold so she can focus on getting ready for the world championships and now, a possible Paralympic selection if the games go ahead.

"We're going to do everything in our power to make sure she goes if she's selected," Deanne said.

There were 18 players who attended last week's camp.

The camp saw Simpson involved in strength and conditioning training, leadership and time management sessions, round-robin games and individual meetings with coaches and managers to discuss skills, needs and potential.

The women's team also had the opportunity to watch the Australian men's squad the Rollers in action.

"I missed everyone... It was good to catch up with my friends," Simpson said.

"My highlight at the camp was seeing my friends and learning new things."

Simpson just loves being with people, that's why wheelchair basketball is among her favourite sports - it's very different to when she's competing in track.

She admitted there wasn't anything in particular she loved about the sport, saying "I just love the game".

Craig Friday is the newly appointed Gliders head coach.

Australia is one of 10 teams who will compete in the women's wheelchair basketball competition in Tokyo.

The Gliders' last Paralympics medal was at the 2012 London Games when they claimed silver, having secured bronze at Beijing (2008) and silvers at both the Athens (2004) and Sydney (2000) Games.

Simpson debuted for the Australian Under 25s women's side in May 2019 at the world championships in Thailand, where they came home with silver.