Wheelchair Basketball Canada has unveiled the rosters for the upcoming world championships set to take place in Ottawa. The women’s team will feature key players such as Kady Dandeneau, Melanie Hawtin, Puisand Lai, Tara Llanes, Cindy Ouellet, Tamara Steeves, Elodie Tessier, and Arinn Young, who all represented the Paralympic team in 2024. Additionally, Elise Froese, Rosie Long, Mercy Nyakundi, and Bethany Johnson have secured spots on the team.
In the past, Canada achieved a fifth-place finish at the 2022 championships, with their last victorious moment dating back to 2014 when the women’s team clinched gold in Toronto.
Turning to the men’s team, seven players have returned from both the Paralympic Games and the 2022 worlds, including Reed De’Aeth, Nik Goncin, Colin Higgins, Lee Melymick, Tyler Miller, Blaise Mutware, and Garrett Ostepchuk. Joining them are newcomers Josh Brown, Ibrahim Odza, Kyrell Sopotyk, Lionel Tamoki, and Brandon Louie.
The Canadian men’s team, which placed sixth at the 2022 worlds, last claimed gold in 2006. The upcoming tournament scheduled from Sept. 9-19 will not only showcase top-tier wheelchair basketball but also determine the allocation of spots for each zone for the 2028 Paralympic Games.