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🏀 Team Canada Strikes Double Gold at the Youth Parapan Am Games!
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Canada’s young wheelchair basketball stars made history at the 2025 Youth Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile, capturing gold in both the men’s 5×5 and women’s 3×3 tournaments.
Women’s 3×3 – GOLD 🥇
Elise Froese, Rosie Long, Kayla MacKinnon, and Mercy Nyakundi
Team Canada capped off an outstanding week with a 15–4 victory over Colombia in Wednesday’s final to claim the top spot on the podium.
The squad completed a perfect 7–0 run, averaging 15 points per game while holding opponents to just 2.2 points per contest — a dominant performance from start to finish.
“We came into the game off a great warm-up and ready to execute the plan,” said Elise Froese. “From the start, we were hard on chairs and communicated with intention. I loved getting to play with this group of girls all week, and I am proud of our performance from the start.”
The gold marks a historic achievement for Canada, improving on the silver-medal finish from the 2013 Youth Parapan American Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Men’s 5×5 – GOLD 🥇
Dylan Cannan, Nasif Chowdhury, Cameron Gelowitz, Brandon Louie, Simon Mazi-Keep, Thai Milton, Ibrahim Odza, Bernard Rosello, Jeffer Ward, and Judah Websdale
The men’s team battled through a tough field, closing out round-robin play with a 51–42 come-from-behind victory over Argentina before powering through to capture gold.
Ibrahim Odza led the way with 17 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, while Brandon Louie added a strong double-double performance of 15 points and 10 rebounds. The team’s grit, defensive intensity, and balanced scoring carried them to the top of the podium.
Both teams demonstrated incredible teamwork, resilience, and composure — showing the world that the future of Canadian wheelchair basketball is brighter than ever.
Congratulations to all athletes, coaches, and staff on this phenomenal achievement!
🎾 Wheelchair Tennis is Coming Back to Ottawa!
Leave a CommentWe’re excited to announce that a new weekly wheelchair tennis program will be launching at the Rideau Sports Centre on Saturday afternoons, beginning in the New Year!
To kick things off, join us for a free Try It session on Saturday, December 6th from 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM at the Rideau Sports Centre (1 Donald St, Ottawa, ON).
No experience is required — all equipment will be provided! The session is recommended for ages 13+, though younger participants may be accommodated upon request. While priority will be given to individuals with a physical disability, friends and family members are welcome to join if equipment and time allow.
For more information or to register, please contact Lisa Myers at wheelchairdev@tenniscanada.com.
Wheelchair Tennis Try It Session!
Date: Saturday, December 6th
Time: 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Location: Rideau Sports Centre (1 Donald St, Ottawa ON, K1K 4E6)
Cost: Free
Registration Link: https://forms.office.com/r/wf6QpHPUrJ
Questions? Contact Lisa Myers at wheelchairdev@tenniscanada.com
Have a Go at Wheelchair Tennis-London
Leave a Comment🎾 London — it’s your turn to try wheelchair tennis!
Join us on Monday, December 15th, 2025 for a fun, free Try It session — no experience needed!
🕗 8:15–9:15pm
📍 North London Optimist Community Centre (1345 Cheapside St, London ON)
👉 Register here: Wheelchair Tennis Try It Registration
Have questions? Contact Lisa Myers at 💌 wheelchairdev@tenniscanada.com
Volunteers Needed – Wheelchair Basketball Tournament (Nov 22–23 in Elmira)
Leave a CommentWe’re looking for volunteers to help make our upcoming Wheelchair Basketball Tournament a success! The event will take place November 22–23 at Elmira District Secondary School, and we’re seeking enthusiastic individuals to join our event team.
Volunteer Roles:
- Greeters: Welcome athletes, spectators, and guests as they arrive and help with event check-in.
- Table Officials: Assist with scorekeeping, timekeeping, and other courtside duties (training provided).
- Photographer/ Videographer: Capture exciting moments throughout the tournament for our social media and event highlights.
- Athletic Therapist/ Massage Therapy: Provide on-site support for athletes, including injury prevention and basic care throughout the tournament.
This is a great opportunity to get involved in the community, support adaptive sport, and experience the excitement of wheelchair basketball up close!
📅 Dates: November 22–23 (8:00 am – 6:30 pm)
📍 Location: Elmira District Secondary School, Elmira, Ontario
Questions? Email Zoe at events@onpara.ca
Canada’s first-ever Para Spartan Race!
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Canada’s first-ever Para Spartan Race is happening September 13, 2026, at Gopher Dunes in Courtland, ON!
Get ready to take on the ultimate adaptive obstacle challenge — where grit, teamwork, and determination meet in an unforgettable test of strength and spirit. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this groundbreaking event in Canadian para sport history!
ONPARA Annual General Meeting
Leave a CommentONPARA Annual General Meeting
🗓 Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025
🕡 Time: 6:30 PM (ET)
📍 Location: Online via Zoom
Please contact ONPARA Executive Director Doug Hannum at doug@onpara.ca to request the Zoom link.
💪 PARA TOUGH MUDDER RETURNS IN 2026!
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💥 Para Tough Mudder is Back! 💥
Join us September 12, 2026 at Gopher Dunes (Courtland, ON) for the return of Para Tough Mudder!
We’re bringing the mud, the grit, and the teamwork back with our 5K course built for all abilities. Grab your crew, get ready to get muddy, and show what you’re made of!
2025–26 ONPARA Registration
Leave a Comment📢 2025–2026 ONPARA Registration is Now Open!
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🏉 Wheelchair Rugby members: Please register through Trackie
Athletes and coaches looking to register for the upcoming season for Wheelchair Basketball — please visit your club’s RAMP portal and complete your membership today:
Don’t miss your chance to be part of another exciting season!
🏀 Wheelchair Basketball Coaching Clinic – November 2025
Leave a CommentONPARA, in partnership with Wheelchair Basketball Canada (WBC), is excited to host an in-depth Wheelchair Basketball Coaching Clinic this fall.
Whether you are a seasoned coach, an aspiring one, or just curious about the game — this clinic is designed for you!
🔑 What You’ll Learn
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✅ Skill development tools
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✅ Game strategies & tactics
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✅ Inclusion & accessibility practices
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✅ Supporting athletes at all levels
📅 Clinic Schedule
Virtual Sessions (via Zoom):
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Wednesday, November 19, 2025 | 6:00 – 9:00 PM
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Wednesday, November 26, 2025 | 6:00 – 9:00 PM
In-Person Sessions:
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Saturday, November 29, 2025 | 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
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Sunday, November 30, 2025 | 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
📍 Location: Abilities Centre
1 Jim Flaherty Street, Whitby, ON
💲 Cost
$300 per participant
🌟 Why Attend?
This clinic is an incredible opportunity to:
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Learn directly from experienced coaches and leaders in the sport
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Build your knowledge and confidence as a coach
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Connect with Ontario’s wheelchair basketball community
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Play a role in creating strong, inclusive programs that empower athletes across the province
👉 Register today: Click here to sign up
🙌 Please share this opportunity with your networks, members, and anyone interested in coaching or getting involved in wheelchair basketball!
Welcome to the Team – Travis Murao
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ONPARA is proud to welcome Travis Murao as our new Wheelchair Rugby Technical Coordinator.
Travis was first introduced to wheelchair rugby by Duncan Campbell, one of the inventors of the sport, and quickly fell in love with the tactical side of the game. Since then, he has built an incredible career as a four-time Paralympian and a leader on and off the court.
Over the years, Travis has earned multiple international medals, represented Canada at the highest level of competition, and contributed to the growth of the sport through writing, blogging, and co-hosting the web series “Wheelchair Rugby Talk with Trev n’ Trav.”
“Travis’ knowledge of the game and commitment to developing athletes and coaches will be a huge boost as we continue to grow wheelchair rugby in Ontario.”
— Doug Hannum, Executive Director
With his deep knowledge of the game and passion for developing athletes, Travis will play a key role in supporting the growth of wheelchair rugby across Ontario.
“I’m excited to start at ONPARA and use all of my experience to help our local athletes succeed.”
— Travis Murao
Please join us in giving Travis a warm welcome to the ONPARA team! 👏🏉