Boccia Canada Announces Espoir Team for 2026

Ottawa, ON (January 13, 2026) – Boccia Canada is excited to announce its 2026 Espoir team, comprised of up-and-coming athletes working towards national and international success. 

The 2026 Espoir Team athletes are:  

• BC1: Joe Philpott (St. John’s, NL) 

• BC2: Liza Puri (London, ON) 

• BC3: Carter Plumb (Brampton, ON) 

• BC3: Theresa MacLeod (Moncton, NB) 

• BC4: Andrew Woodrow (St. John’s, NL) 

The team is made mainly of returning athletes, with the introduction of MacLeod following her first competition at the 2024 Canadian Championships. All of the returning athletes competed internationally last year, with three participating in the 2025 Youth Parapan Am Games. This team looks to make an impact and grow their skills over the next 12 months. 

Mario Delisle, High Performance Director, says “It is important to make sure that the athletes with a potential for high performance are being followed at training throughout the year. Making it to the Espoir Team gives an opportunity to work with National coaches and participate in training camps and international entry level events. We are looking forward to work with these 5 athletes in 2026 and support their development as boccia athletes.” 

First-time Espoir team member Theresa MacLeod adds “I am thrilled to have been selected for the 2026 Espoir team – it is an exceptional opportunity to develop my Boccia skills with top notch national coaching and talented, experienced athletes. As part of a developing Boccia program with Parasport NB, my ramp operator and I are anticipating a year of rigorous practice and growth as we connect with Boccia peers across Canada.”  

The Espoir team plays a vital role in growing the depth of program within the High Performance boccia program.   

Follow Boccia Canada on Facebook for all updates about national and international competitions here. 

About Boccia Canada  

Boccia Canada is the boccia delivery arm of the Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (CCPSA), the National Sport Organization for the Paralympic sport of boccia. Boccia Canada is focused on providing athletes and individuals of all ages and skill with the chance to play a unique Paralympic sport. We lead, develop and grow boccia from grassroots to producing World Champions, and we collaborate with partners to increase participation of Canadians with physical disabilities in sport.  

About Boccia  

Boccia is a Paralympic sport of precision and strategy similar to lawn bowling or curling, played by athletes with Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy and related disabilities. It is one of only two Paralympic sports that do not have an Olympic counterpart. Athletes compete in one of six sport classes based on their level and type of disability: BC1, BC2, BC3 BC4, BC5, and Open.  

Media Contact  

Zoe Meil-Charbonneau
National Program Coordinator
[email protected]