Wheelchair Rugby Canada nominates team for Rio 2016 Paralympic Games
Team won two gold medals in 2015, looking to bring momentum into Summer Games
Wheelchair Rugby Canada and the Canadian Paralympic Committee announced its 12-person team for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games on Monday.
The team is ranked No. 1 in wheelchair rugby for the first time in 13 years after winning gold at both the Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games and the 2015 World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge.
"Last year, we got our first taste of gold in over a decade. We'll be carrying that feeling into Rio," said head coach Kevin Orr. "We are working daily to prepare tactically, technically, psychologically and physically for a gold medal in Rio. We're ready to go."
Making it to the top of the podium in Brazil would be the team's first Paralympic gold. The team captured silver in London 2012, falling to Australia 66-51 in the final.
Team Canada will draw on extensive competitive experience with nine athletes returning from the London 2012 roster. The team will compete in pool A alongside Australia, Great Britain and Brazil.
"Wheelchair rugby promises to be an extremely exciting contest in Rio that will have fans on the edge of their seats," said Team Canada chef de mission Chantal Petitclerc. "I can't wait to cheer on the Canadian players as they charge forward in pursuit of their goals."
Canada's Paralympic roster
- Miranda Biletski, Regina, Sask.
- Cody Caldwell, Peterborough, Ont.
- Ian Chan, Richmond, B.C.
- Patrice Dagenais, (co-captain) Embrun, Ont.
- Byron Green, Courtenay, B.C.
- Trevor Hirschfield (co-captain), Parksville, B.C.
- Fabien Lavoie, Quebec City, Que.
- Zak Madell, Okotoks, Alta.
- Travis Murao, Richmond, B.C.
- Patrice Simard, Quebec City, Que.
- Mike Whitehead, Windsor, Ont.
- David Willsie, Dorchester, Ont.
Chan, Dagenais, Hirschfield, Lavoie, Madell, Murao, Simard, Whitehead and Willsie were all members of the London 2012 team.
Canada's last competition before Rio will take place on home soil at the 2016 Canada Cup International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament from June 23-26 in Richmond, B.C. Seven of the world's top teams will compete.