BTG Speaker Series
ONPARA has teamed up with our counterpart organizations across Canada to produce the Bridging the Gap Speaker Series with the goal of spreading awareness of BTG programming and Para sports while sharing the stories of our incredible athlete ambassadors and coaches.
In case you missed the sessions live, the recordings are available on our YouTube Channel at the links below. Questions about the series, the Bridging the Gap program, or how to get involved here in Ontario? Check out our Bridging the Gap page for more information, or contact us today!
Katherine Hale, Bridging the Gap Coordinator
Email: btg@onpara.ca
Phone: (416) 426-7131
BTG Speaker Series #3: Wheelchair Rugby – The First Push!
In this session, wheelchair rugby athletes and coaches from across the country share their first experiences with the sport, their journeys, and advice for new athletes and coaches just getting started.
Speakers:
Melanie Labelle (QC)
Britt Mayer (SK)
Jeremy MacDonald (PEI)
Kendra Todd (BC)
To learn more about wheelchair rugby, visit our About Wheelchair Rugby page or contact btg@onpara.ca!
BTG Speaker Series #2: Wheelchair Tennis – The First Swing!
In this session, wheelchair tennis athletes Candice Combdon (ON) and Barry Henderson (BC) joined us along with Coach and Paralympic medalist Kai Schrameyer on Friday May 28th to share their love for the sport and encourage new participants to get involved. They discuss their personal experiences with wheelchair tennis, how they first got involved, how they were supported through the transition to sport, and any advice they have for people thinking of giving the sport a try.
To learn more about wheelchair tennis, visit our ‘About Wheelchair Tennis‘ page or contact us at btg@onpara.ca!
BTG Speaker Series #1: Wheelchair Basketball
In this first session of the ‘Bridging the Gap’ Speaker Series, four wheelchair basketball athletes/coaches from various levels and backgrounds speak about their experience with wheelchair basketball and other Para sports, the ‘Bridging the Gap’ program, how they were supported through their transition to sport, and why sport is so important to them.
Featured Athlete Ambassadors/Coaches:
- Zoe Hahn (ON)
- Aidan Love (BC)
- Ross Norton (AB)
- Colin Higgins (NB)
To learn more about the sport of wheelchair basketball, visit our ‘About Wheelchair Basketball‘ page or contact us at btg@onpara.ca!
BTG Contacts Across Canada
Are you interested in learning more about Bridging the Gap and other Para sport programs available outside of Ontario?
Contact your province’s Bridging the Gap coordinator today!
| Province | Organization | Contact |
| Alberta | Wheelchair Sports Alberta | Jen Sales – jen@wheelchairsportsalberta.com |
| BC | BC Wheelchair Basketball Society | Nadine Barbisan – nadine@bcwbs.ca |
| BC | BC Wheelchair Sports Association | Michelle McDonnell – michelle@bcwheelchairsports.com Ana Karanovic – ana@bcwheelchairsports.com |
| New Brunswick | Parasport New Brunswick | Simon Richard – simon.richard@parasportnb.ca |
| Ontario | Ontario Para Network | Katherine Hale – btg@onpara.ca |
| PEI | Parasport and Recreation PEI | Kyla Dunn – kyla@parasportpei.ca |
| Québec | Parasports Québec | Alexis Boulenger – aboulenger@parasportsquebec.com |
| Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan Wheelchair Sports Association | Jen Wood – jen@swsa.ca |