Wheelchair Basketball Canada has unveiled the rosters for both the women’s and men’s teams set to compete in the upcoming world championships in Ottawa. The women’s team will see the return of experienced 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 team.
In previous championships, Canada finished fifth in 2022 and last claimed a podium spot in 2014, when the women secured gold in Toronto. The men’s team features seven players who have previous experience from both the Paralympic Games and the 2022 world championships, including Reed De’Aeth, Nik Goncin, Colin Higgins, Lee Melymick, Tyler Miller, Blaise Mutware, and Garrett Ostepchuk. They will be joined by Josh Brown, Ibrahim Odza, Kyrell Sopotyk, Lionel Tamoki, and Brandon Louie.
The Canadian men, who placed sixth in the 2022 world championships, last clinched a gold medal in 2006. The tournament is scheduled to take place from September 9 to 19 and will determine the allocation of spots each zone will receive for the 2028 Paralympic Games.