General

ONPARA Welcomes Doug Hannum as New Executive Director

The Ontario Para Network is pleased to announce the hiring of Doug Hannum in the role of Executive Director, effective Monday, August 23, 2021. Doug has had a long and successful leadership career in the amateur sports and not-for-profit sectors, including as Executive Director of Boxing Ontario, CEO of Cricket Canada, Executive Director of Masters… Read More

CAO’s ‘Coaching Report Card’ Research Study

The Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO), in partnership with the University of Toronto, are launching a first-of-its-kind study into the landscape of coaching in Ontario. We want to make coaching and sport better for everyone. To make it happen we need your help. Join the hundreds of coaches who have already taken part by sharing… Read More

Fourteen Ontario Athletes Named to Team Canada for Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games

Three women and 11 men from Ontario will represent Canada in wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and wheelchair tennis in Tokyo As the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games held their Closing Ceremony last Sunday to signal the end of the 17-day global affair, inevitably, for those in the parasport community, the countdown began for our signature event… Read More

Research Study: Sport Specialization in Disability Sport

Sport Specialization in Disability Sport: A Retrospective Narrative Approach Early sport specialization in childhood and early adolescence continues to gain in popularity despite its well-known physiological and psychosocial health risks. However, the vast majority of this research has been conducted in able-bodied sport, while less is known about the developmental experiences of athletes as they… Read More

Job Opportunity: Executive Director

The Ontario Para Network is seeking a highly-collaborative, innovative team leader who is adept at building partnerships, strengthening community relationships, and inspiring staff and stakeholders alike to fulfill the role of Executive Director. Position: Executive Director Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience Location: Toronto, Ontario Reports to: Ontario Para Network Board of Directors The Ontario… Read More

Laura Wilson to Depart Role as ONPARA Executive Director

It’s not goodbye, it’s ‘see you later’ It is with bittersweet emotion that the Ontario Para Network announces the departure of Executive Director Laura Wilson, effective July 2. After seven years in the role and with a strong sense of accomplishment, Laura will be moving on to pursue new opportunities and challenges with another sport… Read More

Research Study: Community Peer Support Among Individuals Living with Spinal Cord Injury

Researchers from the Carleton University Department of Psychology are looking to learn more about the experience with peer support of those with a spinal cord injury and what aspects of peer relationships they find most (or least) valuable. To participate in this study, you must: Be 18 years of age or older Be a community-living… Read More

In Memory of Barbara Montemurro

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Barbara “Barb” Montemurro, a passionate advocate who has been instrumental in developing our organization and the para sports community in Ontario and beyond. Barbara passed away on January 11, 2021. Barbara dedicated over 40 years of her life to advocating for… Read More

I am a Warrior – Candice Combdon

I am a Warrior How determination and a strong support system helped wheelchair tennis athlete Candice Combdon find her inner strength by June Jang Featured in the Fall 2020 issue of ParaSport Magazine Candice Combdon, 33, is a Team Ontario wheelchair tennis athlete who sees herself as a warrior on and off the court. Growing… Read More

Caldwell and Combdon Named 2020 ONPARA GivingTuesday Ambassadors

ONPARA is proud to introduce Cody Caldwell and Candice Combdon as our 2020 GivingTuesday Athlete Ambassadors!   Cody & Candice both know first-hand the tremendous impact that sport plays in the rehabilitation & recovery process and the overall health of people with disabilities, and they want to pay it forward by participating in GivingTuesday and… Read More