Canada Set to Open International Boccia Season on Home Court in Montreal
Lance Cryderman preparing his shot at the 2024 Montreal World Cup
Photo Credit: Patrick Beauchemin, Défi Sportif AlterGo
OTTAWA, ON (April 23, 2026) – Canada’s top boccia athletes are ready to open this year’s international season on home soil, as seven National Team athletes take to the court at the Montreal 2026 World Boccia Cup from April 26 to May 4. Competing in front of a home crowd, the Canadian squad will look to set the tone early in the season against an international field, using this first World Cup as a key benchmark for the year ahead.
Team Canada’s Roster:
- BC1 Men: Lance Cryderman (Val Caron, ON)
- BC2 Men: Danik Allard (Bois-des-Filion, QC)
- BC3 Men: Alexandre Lemaire (Kingsey Falls, QC)
- BC3 Women: Fatima Abderrahmane (Montreal, QC)
- BC4 Men: Iulian Ciobanu (Montreal, QC)
- BC4 Men: Marco Dispaltro (Montreal, QC)
- BC4 Women: Alison Levine (Montreal, QC)
Led by National Head Coach César Nicolaï, alongside assistant coaches Simon Larouche and Tiffany Gaudette, the team enters the competition prepared to test themselves against the world’s best.
All athletes will compete in individual events, after which some will turn their focus to the pairs competition. Lemaire and Abderrahmane will team up in the BC3 pairs event, while Levine and Ciobanu will do the same in the BC4 pairs competition.
Hosted as part of Défi Sportif AlterGo, the World Cup follows immediately after the National Boccia Open, creating two consecutive weeks of high-level competition in Montreal. With both national and international events taking place, the city becomes a central hub for boccia and a unique opportunity for Canadian athletes to compete at multiple levels on home court.
BC2 athlete Danik Allard is eager to compete in front of fellow Canadians. “First, I have to say that I’m thrilled that Boccia is back in Montreal – especially since it’s returning to our country. I can’t wait to see our Canadian fans come out to cheer us on again. I think I speak for all my teammates when I say that we’re eager to show off our skills on our home turf.”
César Nicolaï echoes that same sentiment. “We’re very excited to kick off the competitive season in Montreal; it is always special to have the chance to compete in our own country. The Canadian boccia team is ready for this first World Cup, which will help us launch our 2026 season.”
Event Schedule
April 27 – Opening ceremony, official practices, classification, equipment check
April 28 to May 1 – Individual Competition
May 2 to May 3 – Team/Pairs Competition
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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.
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Media Contact
Zoe Meil-Charbonneau
National Program Coordinator
[email protected]