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 were part of 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 fifth place in the 2022 championships, Canada’s women last claimed victory in 2014 when they clinched gold in Toronto. On the men’s side, the 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. They will be joined by new additions 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 for each zone in the 2028 Paralympic Games.