Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association Inducts Four New Members Into Hall of Fame
Ottawa, ON (December 11, 2019) – The Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (CCPSA) is pleased to announce at the recent 2019 Canadian Boccia Championships, four deserving individuals were inducted as the newest members of CCPSA’s Hall of Fame.
Established in 2005, the Hall of Fame recognizes and honours CCPSA athletes, coaches, officials, builders, and teams who have had extraordinary achievements in their sport, in Canada or internationally.
The Hall of Fame also celebrates individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the development and advancement of sport for athletes with cerebral palsy and related disabilities in Canada or internationally.
“Each of the four inductees has achieved extraordinary success and distinction in boccia at both the national and international level,” noted Marie Dannhaeuser, President, CCPSA. “Importantly, they all demonstrated the highest level of integrity, sportsmanship and fair play, while contributing to the development of boccia.”
Team Category: BC3 Pair – Alison Kabush, Monica Martino and Paul Gauthier
For decades, three athletes from British Columbia transformed boccia in Canada – Alison Kabush, Monica Martino and Paul Gauthier.
From the mid 1990’s to the early 2010’s, they spent thousands of hours together on the boccia courts of Vancouver, New Westminster and Surrey, building their shared love of competition and honing their skills. The depth of their Pairs results was so great that what was often lost in their consistency and longevity was their beautifully executed shots, time and time again.
- Gold at World Championships in New York, 1998
- Bronze at Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia, 2000
- Gold at World Masters Games in Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal, 2004
- Bronze at Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece, 2004
- Gold at America’s Cup in Mar del Plata, Argentina, 2005
- Gold at Americas’ Cup in Montreal, 2009
The Canadian boccia community celebrates the induction into the CCPSA Hall of Fame of a true dynasty.
Athlete Category: Paul Gauthier
Each boccia player, coach and supporter has dreamed about achieving gold at the Paralympics in one way or another, but until now, only one Canadian has done it – Paul Gauthier.
During his journey to the top, like a true champion, Gauthier brought the Canadian boccia community along with him. He looked for the best in everyone, in every performance partner, teammate, coach and event volunteer. Gauthier was always looking for ways to improve.
Within the Canadian boccia community, Gauthier is revered as a legend. He demonstrated what it looks like to not be afraid, to believe he could be the best in the world. A remarkable five-time Paralympian, Gauthier’s results as Captain of the Canadian BC3 Pair are world leading. His individual results are outstanding:
- Bronze at Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia, 2000
- Gold at Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece, 2004
- Gold at the Vancouver World Cup, 2007
Builder Category: Debbie Kabush
Debbie Kabush’s involvement with boccia began in 1989 when her daughter (and fellow CCPSA Hall of Fame Inductee) Alison Kabush was invited to try boccia at the Variety Child Development Center in Vancouver. Her involvement grew from there to include becoming a National and International referee and Board member of SportAbility BC. Later, Kabush moved onto the CCPSA board in several roles including providing critical work in provincial development. Not one to sit back, she also found time to organize fundraising events and develop new boccia coaching programs. Ironically, Kabush was also the driving force behind creating the CCPSA Hall of Fame in 2005.
Quotes
Paul Gauthier
“I am very honoured to receive this esteemed recognition for both the individual athlete and the team/pair categories. Athletes dedicate many hours to training both on and off the field, knowing that if we put our minds to it we can accomplish anything. It is my sincere hope that more young people become involved in this amazing game because you never know where this opportunity can take you!”
Alison Kabush
“It was an honour to represent my province and my country, and it is a tremendous honour to be inducted into CCPSA’s Hall of Fame.”
Monica Martino
“When I started playing boccia, I finally found something that allowed me to use my competitive drive on an even physical playing field. To think today, after all the treasures this game has given me; to travel the World, participate in Paralympic Games along with all the amazing people I met on this journey, this has been branded in my heart and my mind forever. Thank you for this honor of being inducted alongside my peers.”
Debbie Kabush
“This has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had, due to the many people and athletes I’ve met within the boccia community.”
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. CCPSA collaborates with partners to increase the participation of Canadians with cerebral palsy and related disabilities in sport and physical activity, while leading, developing and growing boccia from grassroots, to producing World and Paralympic Champions.
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
Holly Janna
Communications and National Team Coordinator, Boccia Canada
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: 613-748-1430 x3 | Cell: 514-944-5193