The Gliders medalled at Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012 before their streak came to an end when they failed to qualify for Rio 2016.

But having booked their place at Tokyo 2020 and selected their team, Australia are now focused on regaining their position among the world’s elite wheelchair nations.

Sarah Vinci and Amber Merritt, who were part of the London 2012 squad, return to the side, while Hannah Dodd, who represented Australia in equestrian at the Paralympics in London before switching sports, has also been selected.

Mary Friday, Isabel Martin, Taishar Ovens, Ella Sabljak, Shelley Cronau, Natalie Alexander, Bree Mellberg, Jessica Cronje and Georgia Munro-Cook are all set to make their Paralympic debuts as Australia look to make their mark in the Japanese capital.

"It’s official now, it’s actually going to happen and that’s really exciting," said centre Munro-Cook.

"We’ve been working really hard to get to where we are, where we can represent Australia at the Paralympic Games.

"We’re a close-knit group.

"Everyone’s willing to work for each other, be receptive to advice and help make sure everyone in the group becomes a better player.

"I think those things have really worked for us.

"Having the Games delayed by a year made it a bit harder.

"But we’re all just really proud to be at this point.

"We haven’t played an international game since late 2019 and, while we’ve had a few camps over the past year, it’s been up and down with COVID and having to quarantine.

"It’s been tricky but we’ve all been working really hard individually and it’s paying off right now."

Australia’s Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin said she was thrilled the Gliders were heading back to the Games.

"The Australian women’s wheelchair basketball team belongs at the Paralympics," said McLoughlin.

"Three silver medals, a bronze and two fourth-placings since 1992 is a consistently strong record that I know this team will be so keen to add to.

"I’m so pleased with the way the entire Gliders programme bounced back, led well by Basketball Australia, and I think this is going to be a very special Paralympic campaign for this team."

Paralympics Australia chief executive Lynne Anderson added: "Wheelchair basketball is one of the flagship Paralympic sports and it’s brilliant to see our amazing Gliders ready and raring to go.

"I’d like to thank and congratulate everyone, especially the players, who’ve fought for this moment and can now prepare to give it their all when they play at Musashino Forest Sport Plaza in about five weeks’ time."