Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association Selects Boccia Squad For Nomination To The Parapan Am Games Team
Ottawa, ON (May 27, 2015) – London 2012 Paralympic Games bronze medalist and world No. 1 Marco Dispaltro of Montreal headlines the 10 athletes selected to the boccia team, announced today by the Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (CCPSA) for nomination to the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games team.
A total of 10 boccia athletes, supported by their sport assistants, have booked their entries for Toronto 2015. They are joined by head coach Mario Delisle and his staff César Nicolai (BC4 coach), Shannon Sydorak (BC3) and Ed Richardson (BC1/2). The full team roster is included at the end of this release.
Canada’s boccia team is keen to showcase its skills on home soil in Toronto. At the Guadalajara 2011 Parapan Am Games, the team won five medals, including gold for Paul Gauthier and Adam Dukovich and silver for Dispaltro – all of whom return on this team. At the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Dispaltro won bronze with recently-retired teammate Josh Vander Vies.
“The Canadian boccia team is anticipating a strong showing in Toronto,” said CCPSA executive director Marie Dannhaeuser. “The Americas region is very strong in boccia. We are ready to go head to head against some of the best in the world, and aim to repeat our podium success from previous Parapan Am Games”.
Similar to lawn bowls, boccia is a game of precision in which elite players employ an incredible degree of focus, consistency and strategy. Eligible disabilities in the sport include cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy or amputations. Competitors are placed in one of four classifications based on their level of mobility.
“A warm welcome to every boccia athlete selected to the team,” said Canada’s Chef de Mission, Elisabeth Walker-Young. “Whether this is your first Games or whether you are a veteran, this will be a Games like no other. Plan now on using these home Games to your advantage! I look forward to seeing you in Toronto. All the best with final preparations. Our Canadian team is now bigger and better with you on it.”
Today’s announcement comes on the heels of standout boccia performances last month at the Maurice Richard Arena in Montréal, Que. at the 2015 Americas Pairs/Team competition, where Canada qualified spots for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in the BC3 and BC4 pairs events.
“Congratulations to the athletes named today to the Canadian boccia team,” said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). “I join all Canadians in wishing you the best as you prepare to represent your country in Toronto and attempt to defend your place at the top of the Parapan Am medal podium in boccia. Your commitment to your sport will surely inspire Canadians during this Year of Sport in Canada.”
The Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games, the fifth edition of the Parapan American Games, will host over 1,600 athletes from 28 countries and take place from Aug. 7 to 15. The boccia team is the third of 14 Canadian teams to be selected for nomination to this year’s Games team. The complete Canadian Parapan Am team of approximately 220 athletes will be officially announced in July 2015.
TORONTO 2015 Parapan Am Games tickets are currently on sale. The boccia team will be competing at the Abilities Centre in Whitby. Tickets are available online at TORONTO2015.org/tickets.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Media are invited to visit photos.paralympic.ca and create an account to be able to download high-resolution photos of Canadian Paralympic and Parapan Am athletes at any time, at no cost.
| 2015 Parapan Am Games – Boccia Roster | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
National Team |
|||||
|
Athlete Last Name |
Athlete First Name |
Hometown |
Classification |
||
| Halpen | Chris | Victoria BC | BC1 | ||
| Dukovich | Adam | London, ON | BC2 | ||
| Bussière | Éric | Verchères, QC | BC3 | ||
| Garneau | Bruno | Montreal, QC | BC3 | ||
| Levine | Alison | Côte-St-Luc, QC | BC4 | ||
| Vietnieks | Caroline | North Delta, BC | BC4 | ||
| Mawji | Hanif | Burnaby, BC | BC1 | ||
| McLeod | Tammy | Strathroy, ON | BC2 | ||
| Gauthier | Paul | Vancouver, BC | BC3 | ||
| Dispaltro | Marco | St-Jérôme, QC | BC4 | ||
| Delisle | Mario | Montreal, QC | Head Coach | ||
| Richardson | Ed | Brampton, ON | Coach BC1/2 | ||
| Nicolai | César | Montluçon, France | Coach BC4 | ||
| Sydorak | Shannon | Prince George, BC | Coach BC3 | ||
About the Canadian Paralympic Committee
The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 25 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic Movement. The Canadian Paralympic Committee’s vision is to be the world’s leading Paralympic nation. Its mission is to lead the development of a sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games. By supporting Canadian high performance athletes with a disability and promoting their success, the Canadian Paralympic Committee inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organizations. For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca.
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.
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.