Wheelchair Basketball Canada has unveiled the rosters for the upcoming world championships in Ottawa, featuring both women’s and men’s teams. The women’s team includes key players such as Kady Dandeneau, Melanie Hawtin, Puisand Lai, Tara Llanes, Cindy Ouellet, Tamara Steeves, Elodie Tessier, and Arinn Young, who are returning from the fourth-place Paralympic team in 2024. Additionally, Elise Froese, Rosie Long, Mercy Nyakundi, and Bethany Johnson have been selected to join the squad.
Having secured a fifth-place finish at the 2022 championships, Canada’s women last claimed victory in 2014 when they clinched gold in Toronto. Meanwhile, the men’s team boasts seven returning players 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.
Despite finishing sixth at the 2022 worlds, the Canadian men’s team last secured a gold medal in 2006. The world championships, scheduled from September 9 to 19, will determine the allocation of spots for each zone in the 2028 Paralympic Games.