(St. Catharines, ON) On April 12, 2011, Wheelchair Basketball Canada and Brock University will co-host a press conference and draw to determine the competition groups for the inaugural Women’s U25 World Wheelchair Basketball Championships taking place at Brock University July 15-21, 2011.  Members of the media are invited to attend the press conference and draw taking place at 11:00AM in the Sankey Chamber at Brock University. 

President of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation Maureen Orchard will facilitate the draw. She will be joined by Wheelchair Basketball Canada Executive Director Wendy Gittens, Brock University Vice President Finance and Administration Steve Pillar, and Canadian Paralympic Committee Chief Executive Officer & Secretary Henry Storgaard.

“Canada is extremely excited to host this tournament. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of the very first World Championship for women in this age group.  As I am sure is the case for all the teams, Canada is very eager to see the outcome of the draw as we begin to make final preparations for the competition,” said Gittens.

The eight countries participating in the upcoming tournament are Australia, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Mexico, South Africa and the United States.

“Brock University is proud to be a part of this inaugural international tournament,” said Pillar. “This event represents an incredible opportunity for our students, our community, and our country. We look forward to hosting the games and welcoming the world to our University this summer.”

“Following the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, the Canadian Paralympic Committee implemented a new five-year strategic plan to become the world’s leading Paralympic nation and lead the development of a sustainable Para-sport system in Canada,” said Henry Storgaard, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. “Tournaments such as this are important milestones to showcase and develop the next generation of Paralympic athletes and we are thrilled to be partnering with Wheelchair Basketball Canada for this historic competition.”

Team Canada Head Coach Michael Broughton (Toronto, ON) and athlete Corin Metzger (London, ON) will also be available for questions following the draw.

The press conference and draw will be webcast live by sportscanada.tv: http://www.sportscanada.tv/index.php/wheelchair-basketball-canada 

The first-ever Women's U25 World Wheelchair Basketball Championships 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 sport. The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation event is co-hosted by Wheelchair Basketball Canada and Brock University.

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About Wheelchair Basketball Canada

Wheelchair BasketballCanada 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. Visit: www.wheelchairbasketball.ca for more information.

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