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 squad includes key players such as Kady Dandeneau, Melanie Hawtin, Puisand Lai, Tara Llanes, Cindy Ouellet, Tamara Steeves, Elodie Tessier, and Arinn Young, who all return from the 2024 Paralympic team that secured a fourth-place finish. Additionally, Elise Froese, Rosie Long, Mercy Nyakundi, and Bethany Johnson have been selected to join the team.
Canada, which clinched fifth place at the 2022 championships, last claimed victory in 2014 with a gold medal win in Toronto. Turning to the men’s team, seven players, including Reed De’Aeth, Nik Goncin, Colin Higgins, Lee Melymick, Tyler Miller, Blaise Mutware, and Garrett Ostepchuk, are back from both the Paralympic Games and the 2022 worlds. They will be joined by newcomers Josh Brown, Ibrahim Odza, Kyrell Sopotyk, Lionel Tamoki, and Brandon Louie.
The Canadian men, who finished sixth in the 2022 worlds, last secured a gold medal in 2006. The world championships, scheduled from Sept. 9-19, will play a crucial role in determining the allocation of spots each zone will receive for the 2028 Paralympic Games.
