Team Canada wheelchair basketball athletes heading to the 2011 Parapan American Games are the recipients of $12,000 in funding through the Canadian Paralympic Committee's Elite Athlete Equipment Fund that will be used to purchase high-end wheels and rims.

"Our Canadian wheelchair basketball teams have a strong history of podium success and theCanadian Paralympic Committee is pleased to be able to contribute to their podium quest for London," said Rob Needham, Executive Director, Sport, at the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

The Parapan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico take place November 12-20, 2011 and serve as Canada's qualifier for the Summer Paralympic Games. Both the Men's and Women's National Wheelchair Basketball Teams must finish in the top 3 to secure a berth in the 2012 Summer Paralympic Games in London, England.

"We are very grateful to be able to access the Elite Equipment Fund Grant, and for the ongoing contributions and support of the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Own the Podium, as we prepare for success at the 2012 London Paralympic Summer Games," said Wheelchair Basketball Canada High Performance Director Paul Zachau.

"Knowing they have the necessary support to access quality equipment gives our athletes the confidence to perform their best."

Equipment orders have already been placed and several athletes are expected to have their new top of the line wheels and rims by the time competition starts.

Team Canada Women play their first game Sunday November 13, 2011 at 11:15 a.m. (CST), while the Canadian Men tip-off at 3:45 p.m. (CST) vs Columbia.

The following athletes will represent Team Canada at the 2011 Parapan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico:

Team Canada Men:

Abdi Dini (Scarborough, ON)
Adam Lancia (Toronto, ON)
Brandon Wagner (Burlington, ON)
Chad Jassman (Calgary, AB)
Dave Durepos (Fredericton, NB)
David Eng (Montreal, QC)
Joey Johnson (Lorette, MB)
Mickael Poulin (Quebec, QC)
Pat Anderson (Fergus, ON)
Robert Hedges (Wonowon, BC)
Tyler Miller (Kitchener, ON)
Yvon Rouillard (Montreal, QC)
Head Coach: Jerry Tonello (Toronto, ON) Cindy Ouellet (Quebec, QC)

Team Canada Women:

Chantal Benoit (Mont St. Hilaire, QC)
Elaine Allard (St. Eustache, QC)
Elisha Williams (Burnaby, BC)
Katie Harnock (Elmira, ON)
Jamey Jewells (Donkin, NS)
Janet McLachlan (Vancouver, BC)
Jessica Vliegenthart (Victoria, BC)
Kendra Ohama (Calgary, AB)
Maude Jacques (Ste-Catherine, QC)
Tara Feser (St. Albert, AB)
Tracey Ferguson (Richmond Hill, ON)
Head Coach: Bill Johnson (Winnipeg, MB)

About the Elite Equipment Fund

The CPC recognizes that becoming a Paralympic champion often requires a significant investment in customized equipment and that advances are constantly being made in equipment design. They also recognize that additional support in this area is required in order for CPC to achieve its vision of being a world leadingParalympic nation.

For this reason, in 2010 the CPC created the Elite Athlete Equipment Fund. The goal of the fund is to provide podium potential athletes with the world-class equipment they need to achieve medal results on the international stage. The CPC partners with Own the Podium to streamline the application process and identify fund recipients.

In the first year of the program, a total of $50,000 was provided to athletes in seven summer sports. CPC is pleased to be continuing this program in 2011-12.

About Wheelchair Basketball Canada

Wheelchair Basketball Canada is the national sports governing body responsible for the organization of wheelchair basketball in Canada. It is a non-profit, charitable organization that is the Canadian member to the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF).

Wheelchair basketball is a fast-paced, hard-hitting, competitive sport that has emerged as one of the most competitive and athletic sports played at the Paralympic Games. Our senior national teams are held in high esteem around the world for the elite skill and control that placed them on the podium with a combined five gold and one silver medal in the last five Paralympic Games.

For more information or to schedule an interview contact:

Jody Kingsbury, Manager
Communications & Media Relations
Wheelchair Basketball Canada
T: 613-260-1296 ext. 204
jkingsbury@wheelchairbasketball.ca

Courtney Pollock, Assistant
Communications & Media Relations
Wheelchair Basketball Canada
T: 613-260-1296 ext. 200
cpollock@wheelchairbasketball.ca

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Alison Korn
Manager, Media Relations
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Tel in Guadalajara - Nov. 6-22: 011 52 331 6009 399
akorn@paralympic.ca

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