(Ottawa, ON) – The competition dates for the first-ever Women’s U25 World Wheelchair Basketball Championships have been shortened by two days. The tournament will now take place July 15-21, 2011 at Brock University in St. Catharines, ON.
The inaugural world championship for young female wheelchair basketball athletes (originally scheduled for July 15-23, 2011) will now feature eight national wheelchair basketball teams including: Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, and the United States. Two other teams, Brazil and the Netherlands, are no longer participating.
“Our excitement levels are beginning to ramp up with just a few months to go before the opening tip-off. Working closely with Brock University plans are well underway to ensure the eight participating teams will have the opportunity to play, train, and compete in a world class tournament while enjoying a once in a liftetime experience,” said Wendy Gittens, Wheelchair Basketball Canada Executive Director.
The international tournament is a milestone event in the ongoing growth of wheelchair basketball around the globe and forges a legacy of unprecedented opportunity for young women in the sport. The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) event is co-hosted by Wheelchair Basketball Canada and Brock University.
Canada’s first-ever Women’s U25 National Team was announced following completion of a week-long selection camp in Winnipeg, MB in January.
The Canadian team features Paralympian Cindy Ouellet, whose résumé includes competition at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games and the 2009 Jr. World Championships, as well as a bronze medal finish at the 2010 World Championships.
The Women’s U25 National Wheelchair Basketball Team consists of:
Abby Stubbert – (Halifax, NS)
Alarissa Haak – (Edmonton,
AB)
Ashley Baerg (Dalmeny, SK)
Cindy Ouellet (Quebec, QC)
Corin Metzger
(Elmira, ON)
Cory Harrower (Regina, SK)
Gabby Roberts-Winter (Regina,
SK)
Helaina Cyr (Edmonton, AB)
Jamey Jewells (Donkin, NS)
Maude Jacques
(Sainte-Catherine, QC)
Steph Park (Maple Ridge, BC)
Tamara Steeves
(Missaussauga, ON)
Head Coach: Michael Broughton (Toronto, ON)
Assistant Coach: Karla Tritten (Edmonton, AB)
Assistant
Coach: Marni Abbott-Peter (Vancouver, BC)
Team Manager: Kathy Ludwig
(Toronto, ON)
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. Please visit www.wheelchairbasketball.ca for more information.
For more information or to
schedule an interview contact:
Courtney Pollock
Communications
Assistant
Wheelchair Basketball
Canada
T: 613-260-1296 ext.
200
cpollock@wheelchairbasketball.ca
Or
Jody Kingsbury
Manager, Communications &
Media Relations
Wheelchair Basketball Canada
T: 613-260-1296 ext. 204
jkingsbury@wheelchairbasketball.ca
On the web: wheelchairbasketball.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/wheelchairbasketball
Twitter: twitter.com/WCBballCanada
YouTube: youtube.com/WheelchairBball
