Fundraising – Team Ontario Women
Women’s Provincial Program
Support Our ONPARA Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team: Make a Lasting Impact
At ONPARA, we believe in the power of sport to transform lives. Our Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team is not just about basketball—it’s about overcoming obstacles, building community, and inspiring others to push the boundaries of what’s possible. By financially supporting our team, you become a part of something much larger than a game.
Here’s why your contribution is so important:
- Promoting Competition & Athlete Development
Team Ontario provides a structured pathway for women and girls to develop their skills through two competitive tiers: the Senior Women’s Team, which brings together top provincial athletes, and the Development Women’s Team, designed to support athletes who are newer to the high-performance environment. By fielding multiple teams, Ontario ensures that players at different stages of their athletic journey have opportunities to train, compete, and grow. This layered structure helps identify emerging talent early, nurtures their growth with consistent coaching and competition, and creates a steady pipeline of elite players who can eventually represent Ontario at the national level and beyond.
- Cultivating Leadership & Camaraderie
Beyond sport, the women’s program is a platform for building confidence, resilience, and leadership skills. Athletes come from diverse regions and backgrounds, bringing unique experiences to the team. Through shared challenges, travel, and competition, they build strong bonds of friendship and mutual respect. Leadership is cultivated both formally—through captaincy, mentorship, and volunteer roles—and informally, as athletes encourage each other to reach higher levels of performance. This environment teaches teamwork, responsibility, and communication, skills that benefit participants far beyond the basketball court. Many alumni carry these lessons into their careers, education, and personal lives, serving as role models for their communities.
- Accessible Entry & Structured Selection
The Ontario women’s program emphasizes fairness and accessibility by holding open tryouts each season. This transparent process ensures that any eligible athlete, regardless of background,
location, or previous connections, has the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities. Once selected, athletes are supported with training camps, coaching, and access to competitive events at the provincial and national levels. This system not only reinforces inclusivity but also ensures that Ontario consistently fields teams comprised of the most skilled, committed, and prepared athletes each year.
- Competitive Achievements
Ontario’s women’s teams have consistently proven themselves on the national stage, solidifying their reputation as one of Canada’s strongest programs:
- 2024 CWBL Women’s National Championship: Ontario earned bronze, defeating the Mixed team 48–24.
- 2025 CWBL Women’s National Championship: Ontario repeated their bronze-medal performance, defeating the Mixed team 40–18.
These consistent podium finishes highlight the program’s ability to compete at the highest levels while continuing to develop talent. Success at nationals also raises the profile of the sport within Ontario and inspires younger athletes to aim for provincial representation.
- Leadership & Coaching
Strong leadership is central to the Ontario women’s program. Our 2025-2026 program will be led by Head Coach Sana Worley and Assistant Coach Shayne Sharkey who are experienced in athlete-centered coaching, innovative training methods, and a supportive team culture. Under ONPARA’s (Ontario Para Network) guidance, this coaching duo is laying the foundation for future achievements while inspiring the next generation of athletes and coaches.
- Raising Provincial & National Profile
The Ontario women’s program plays a pivotal role in elevating parasport visibility both within the province and across Canada:
- Hosting Prestigious Events: ONPARA has secured hosting rights for the 2025 CWBL Women’s National Championship in Durham Region (Oshawa). Hosting such a high-profile event not only brings top-tier competition to Ontario but also engages local communities, attracts media coverage, and fosters pride in parasport achievements.
- Showcasing Inclusivity: By consistently competing and medaling, the team demonstrates the power of inclusive sport and inspires more women and girls to get involved. Their presence challenges stereotypes, raises awareness of disability sport, and encourages broader public and institutional support for wheelchair basketball programs.
- Inspiring Future Generations
Perhaps the most lasting impact of the Ontario Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team is the inspiration it provides to future athletes. Many current and past members of Team Ontario have gone on to represent Canada at international events, including World Championships and the Paralympic Games. Their journeys in Ontario before achieving success on the world stage prove to younger players that provincial competition can be the first step toward international excellence. By acting as role models, these athletes demonstrate that with commitment and support, girls and women of all abilities can achieve their goals in sport and beyond.
In short, the Ontario Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team has an impact that extends well beyond the court. They train champions, build leaders, foster inclusivity, inspire the next generation, and raise the profile of parasport across Canada.
Tax receipts will be issued for any donation $20.00 or more, when process through the link above.
Senior Partnership Proposal
Thank you for your support!
Contact
Tammy Lyle-Gravlev
High Performance, Wheelchair Basketball
tammy@onpara.ca