ParaSport Ontario Fall/Winter 2021

www.parasportontario.ca

MAGAZINE WINTER 2021

Niagara Sledge
Hockey League

Community, Fitness,
Fun and Friendships

Beijing
Bound

Ontario’s 2022
Paralympians

Parasport
Pathways

Online Resource
and Support Centre

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CONTENTS W I N T E R 2 0 2 1

F E AT U R E S

20 41

BOUND FOR BEIJING PUCK DROP IN NIAGARA
Ontario’s 2022 Winter Paralympians New Community Sledge Hockey League

PARASPORT NEWS

Message from the Executive Director . . . . 4 ParaSport® Ontario Partners . . . . . . . . . 8
ParaSport® Ontario Sponsors . . . . . . . . . 6 Community News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

DEPARTMENTS

PATHWAYS RECREATION
ParaSport Hub: New Resource Building Community with Fun,
& Support Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Fitness and Friendships . . . . . . . . . . . 36

JOIN THE CLUB ASK AN EXPERT
Circle of Support: Virtual Programming . . 16 Paul Gabay: Advocating
at Fitness Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT
Garrett Riley Finds His Game . . . . . . . . 28 SPORT PROFILE
Para Taekwondo Promises Possibilities . . 58
ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT
Christina Picton Makes the Sledge FINAL WORD
to Sit-Ski Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Liam’s Dream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Cover photo by Chad Mitchell www.parasportontario.ca

WELCOME MAGAZINE

“The longer I live, the more I realize ParaSport® Ontario
the impact of attitude on life.” 3701 Danforth Avenue
Toronto, ON M1N 2G2
– Charles Swindoll Phone: 416-426-7187
E-mail: [email protected]
Great quote by Charles Swindoll. He goes on to say, “Attitude, Web: www.parasportontario.ca
to me is more important than facts. It is more important than Facebook: @parasportont
the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than Twitter: @parasport_ont
failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or Instagram: @parasportontario
do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill.”
ParaSport® Ontario Board of Directors
And he continues: “The remarkable Chair – Robert Nigol
thing is we have a choice every day Director, Finance – Mike Trojan
regarding the attitude we will embrace Director, Fundraising – Bernard Gluckstein, Q.C.
for that day. We cannot change our Director, Social Media & Marketing – Joanne Smith
past. We cannot change the inevitable. Director, OCPSA Designate – Lorette Dupuis
The only thing we can do is play on Director, ParaGolf Ontario Designate – Ken Mulgrew
the one string we have, and that is our Director, Secretary Treasurer – John Oakes
attitude... I am convinced that life is 10
percent what happens to me and 90 Directors Kevin Rempel
percent how I react to it. We are in charge of our attitudes.” Alexandra Creighton Rob Snoek
Aristotle Domingo Jeff Virgo
I couldn’t agree more. His words resonate so much with what we here Paul Iacono
at ParaSport® Ontario (PO) were privileged to witness this winter. With Todd Keirstead
desire as our starting point we set about constructing a community
sledge hockey league, amidst a pandemic nonetheless. We started ParaSport® Ontario Staff
with four towns and called out to anyone who wanted to participate – Executive Director – Jeff Tiessen
with or without disabilities – across the Niagara Region. Office Manager – Barbara Morrow
Communications Coordinator – Emily Blackborow
I’m not a firm believer in the adage, “If you built it, he will come.” But Events Coordinator – Kevin Waters
in fact, with creative planning, some advertising and countless hours Research Coordinator – Maryann Njeri Macharia
invested by our PO team notwithstanding, that’s exactly what hap-
pened. He came. She came. They came. Then friends and brothers and ParaSport® Magazine
sisters and moms and dads came too. The Official Publication of ParaSport® Ontario
Executive Editor – Jeff Tiessen
For anyone who wanted to play, we found a way. All that we asked for Managing Editor – Emily Blackborow
was that “attitude” to try, to respond, that Swindoll writes about. We Art Director/Design & Layout –
watched a league come to fruition, but we experienced a community Starr Hansen, SJ Design Studio
of peers of varying stories and abilities flourish. Much more about the Advertising Sales – ProMedia Communications
Niagara Sledge Hockey League in this issue.
ParaSport® Magazine is published two times a year by DT
Jeff Tiessen Publishing Group, Inc. for ParaSport® Ontario (PO). PO accepts
Executive Director, ParaSport® Ontario no responsibility for injuries, damages or losses arising out
of the use or misuse of ideas, opinions, activities or products
PS: Join us as a Member of the ParaSport® Ontario Family, and contained in this publication. Where appropriate, professional
receive ParaSport® magazine, our monthly e-newsletters and advice should be sought. All material submitted to the magazine
much more, for FREE. Sign up at www.parasportontario.ca. becomes the property of ParaSport Magazine.

4 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021 Canadian Postmaster: Please send address changes to ParaSport
Ontario, 3701 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON M1N 2G2.
© ParaSport Ontario, 2022. All rights reserved. Reproduction,
in whole or in part, without permission is prohibited.

ParaSport Ontario acknowledges the financial support from
the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS) for ParaSport
Magazine. MTCS is committed to inclusion and accessibility.

Publications Mail Registration #10293
Canadian Mail Agreement #40069170
Printed in Canada.

OUR CLIENTS COME FIRST

Since 1962, we’ve helped clients and their families move forward with dignity and trusted expertise when faced
with life-altering injuries. When you’ve been hurt in an accident, it’s important to find professionals to guide you
through every obstacle, stand by you and treat you like family. At Gluckstein Lawyers we stand together
through successes and hardships as a family, every step of the way. That is our promise.

Gluckstein Lawyers is an award-winning leader in brain and spinal cord injuries, birth injuries and
medical malpractice cases, call 1.866.308.7722 or visit www.gluckstein.com.

Thank You ParaSport® Ontario Sponsors

To join our family of Corporate Sponsors and support our work in providing
parasport opportunities for all Ontarians with disabilities, please contact us.

Special Thanks to Our Founding 5 TRY Me Campaign Sponsors

Personal Injury Lawyers

6 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021 Frank and Freda Spain

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ParaSport® Ontario is proud to support the work of our Partners by promoting the
sports and physical activity opportunities they provide to Ontarians with disabilities.

An agency of the Government of Ontario
Un organisme du gouvernement de l’Ontario

magazine

Living Well with Limb Loss

8 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021

The POWER of PARASPORT

Celebrating Five Decades in Ontario

• R emarkable Stories of ParaSport Visionaries
and Pioneers

• Incredible Athlete Milestones
• C ompelling Legacy Photography

“T ruly a celebration of the influence and
the impact parasport has had in Ontario
and beyond. WELL DONE!”

– F aye Blackwood, Ministry of Heritage,
Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries

Tabletop-Style Soft Cover; 130 pages; $39.95.
Published by Disability Today Publishing Group for ParaSport® Ontario.

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY !

Call 416-426-7186 or visit www.parasportontario.ca/media-tools/power-of-parasport

Community NEWS

Leaving A Legacy Award
Honours Ed Urquhart

Edward Urquhart was a man who able-bodied competitors and it’s
raced motorcylces, bench-pressed something I enjoy with my sons.”
142 kg, hit golf balls 350+ yards and
would take on anyone in a kayak. But With the permission of his widow
most simply, he was earnestly im- Andrea, Ed’s good friend and Para-
pressed with anyone who performed Golf Canada founder Todd Keirstead
to their personal best, believing that cemented his legacy in the paragolf
it’s the effort and dedication that community with the introduction
counts, not a number. of the “Edward Urquhart Leaving A
Legacy Award”.
With his unexpected passing in
July 2021, the parasport community In the spirit of Ed’s character and
lost a great mentor, advocate and conviction, the award recognizes
friend. someone for outstanding effort in
improving their skill set, ideals of
Ed was quick to return to sports sportsmanship, dedication and signif-
after losing both legs below the icant contribution to the sport of
knee in a high-speed motorcycle paragolf in their community.
crash on a race course. He raced mo-
torcycles. Athletics, sprint kayaking, The inaugural recipient of the
powerlifting and golf levelled the Edward Urquhart Leaving A Legacy
playing field for him… especially Award is Kenny Whittmann who
kayaking. started playing competitive sports at
the age of six, which included hock-
“Kayaking is special,” he said. “In a ey, baseball, lacrosse and basketball.
boat, I’m on a level playing field with Never allowing cerebral palsy to be

a deterrent, Whittmann turned to Designed specifically for lower limb
sledge hockey, wheelchair racing amputees, this free app helps am-
and wheelchair basketball at age putees achieve optimal outcomes
16. with their prosthesis. The “Fitness
for Amputees” app from Ottobock
After two major leg surgeries was developed by therapists and
over the last eight years his sport- includes three modules: Strength
ing options became more limit- and Endurance, Coordination and
ed, except for golf. Using golf Balance, and Stretch and Relax.
to normalize his life once again, Each module includes multiple
exercises that can be completed
Whittmann has achieved suc- at different levels of difficulty,
cess in the sport as he consis- depending on one’s ability. The app
tently strives to take his game allows users to set personal goals,
to the next level. Whittmann track progress, and even incorpo-
shares his love and passion for rate personal audio playlists into
the program! It can be download-
the game with everyone he ed for iOS or Android devices at
meets – a great ambassador iTunes and Google Play.
for the sport of paragolf in
Canada.

10 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021

LOGAN Learns to Play

Logan, a young boy with cerebral palsy, wants to learn to play soccer
when he sees his classmates playing in the field. Kicking the ball with a
walker seemed like a daunting task at first. But when he is introduced
to the inclusive All Abilities Program, Logan finds himself surrounded
by a community of friends and fun.

Logan Learns to Play: A Story about Diversity and Inclusion in Sport is
a children’s book that tells his story as he learns to navigate a new
sport and become part of a team! Written and illustrated by Pickering
Football Club volunteer Anusha Broekhuyse, the proceeds from the
book support the Pickering All Abilities Program which gives youth
with disabilities the opportunity to learn to play soccer.

Anusha has been involved in competitive soccer for more than a
dozen years and enjoys sharing her passion for the sport. She finds it
rewarding to see how this program brings out the joy that children
share when they play as part of a team. She hopes her book will
encourage more children living with intellectual and/or physical
disabilities to participate in sports. Paperback copies are available
on Amazon for individual purchase, or you can email the club:
[email protected].

Documentary Demonstrates
POWER OF SPORT

The Power of Sport is a short documentary film created by
the caregiver of an individual who suffered a stroke. Alicia
Tyson and her husband Paul Bak were active, healthy peo-
ple who did everything together from walking to skiing
and cycling. Until, one day while out with his son, Paul had
a stroke and everything changed.

When Paul became frustrated that his recovery wasn’t
happening quickly enough, Alicia, his primary caregiver,
took it upon herself to begin taking photos and recording
videos of his rehab and daily activities of life as a means to
show him his progress.

An outpatient at West Park Healthcare Centre in
Toronto, Paul (and Alicia) participated in Stroke Recovery
groups at the Centre – a program in partnership with
March of Dimes – where Paul met two gentlemen who
also had a love of sport. Together, the three men found
added motivation to recover so that they could regain
the enjoyment that sport brought them.

Alicia continued to record footage and decided to turn
the footage into a short documentary film in hopes of inspiring others. The 12-minute film focuses on the journey to
recovery and toward sport of the three men, and can be viewed at www.sportandstroke.ca.

ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021 11

There’s a sport Play to Podium Fund
for everyBODY!
ParaSport® Ontario supports all members of the disability community
ParaSport® Ontario’s
in finding their sport or activity of choice. And that includes their
SPORTS & CLUBS
equipment needs. For some, the desire to play basketball comes with
D I R E CTORY
the need of a sports wheelchair. Playing hockey... a sled. Biking with
We at ParaSport Ontario
know that it’s not always friends... a handcycle. To sprint around the track... a racing wheelchair.
easy finding the sport that
is right for you or finding a Boccia... an adapted ramp. So let’s get them what they need! That’s
club close to you.
exactly what ParaSport Ontario’s PLAY TO PODIUM FUND is doing.
ParaSport Ontario is seri-
ous about getting you in Meet our most recent recipient of adaptive sports equipment from the Play to
the game for fitness and Podium Fund… Chase Flemming. “We skied as a family today and it was
fun. Our online Sports and amazing,” Chase’s mom Susie wrote to tell us after receiving the Fund’s
Clubs Directory can help donation of an alpine bi-ski for her son.
you find the sports for you
and the clubs nearest you. “Chase loved it. I can’t believe this will actually be a new regular family
activity for us! We live seven minutes from Blue Mountain and hope to get out
Over 35 SPORTS lots more! Chase and his brother Monte
want to say a special thank you as well.
to choose from, and profiles They loved skiing together. Chase is
so thrilled to be able to ski along-
on over 250 CLUBS side his five-year-old brother!”

across the province! Chase was diagnosed
with Duchenne Muscular
Use our special LOCATOR Dystrophy just before his
second birthday. It is a
tool to find clubs near you. progressive, muscle-
deteriorating condition.
There is a sport He is now eight, in his
for everyBODY. Visit childhood prime, and so
www.parasportontario.ca happy! “My husband and
for a club or program I had a tearful little chat
when I called him with
near you. the news,” Susie shared.
“This gift is going to be very
12 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021 well loved. I am already con-
necting with sit-ski volunteers
and instructors in the community.
Thank you again.”

Become a Join the ParaSport Family of individuals
member of with and without disabilities, organizations
ParaSport® and professionals who are fans of sport
Ontario! and recreation for all. All are welcome...
whether you are someone who can
We believe benefit directly from what we do, or
there is a sport you’re someone who wants to help
for everyBODY. spread the word to those who can...

Join Us. It’s FREE!

www.parasportontario.ca/membership/benefits

3/22 ©2022 Ottobock HealthCare, LP, All rights reserved.

Passion for Paralympics

Proudly providing technical support since 1988.

ottobockus.com

PATHWAYS

ONTARIO’S

ParaSport Hub

Long-Awaited Launch of
Parasport Resource and Support Centre

By Maryann Macharia

According to research conducted by the University of Alberta, internet access to adaptive sport opportunities
for individuals with disabilities is very hard to find. Danielle Peers is a professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology,
Sport and Recreation and the Canada Research Chair in Disability and Movement Cultures. She said the
study emerged out of frustration with the low rates of participation of people with disabilities in sport and
fitness. With rates as low as three percent, according to the Government of Canada, there’s now a new
way to educate and motivate Ontarians with disabilities to get physically active via ParaSport® Ontario’s
online Resource and Support Centre.

Peers’s research team looked at lem,” said Peers, “as an organization else, there’s a team of experts at the
the development of para-athletes we decided to ask ourselves what ready to respond! With a combined
in 127 national and provincial sport we are doing to reduce the labour it 1,000+ years of parasport experi-
organizations, as well as a handful of takes a person with a disability just to ence and expertise, our outstanding
premier clubs around the country. find out that they can participate in ParaSport Ontario Advisory Team
Researchers discovered that the programs around them by talking to has a solution, recommendation or
great majority of websites did not individuals who are active in various referral.
mention programming for individu- sports that they are interested in.
als with a disability. At this point in The question became, ‘how can we Ambassadors: Peer support is a
their development, websites were connect newcomers to the world of powerful ingredient for participation,
dubbed “invisible.” Then there were parasport?’” and the Hub’s sport-specific Athlete
websites at “marginal visibility” and Ambassadors are also standing by to
stage-sites that claimed their sport Enter Ontario’s new ParaSport Hub, support the parasport community
“includes everyone,” but offered a robust and dynamic resource and and assist others in finding a sport or
little more than a single page and a support centre. With the support of activity that suits.
phone number. the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s
Community Resiliency Fund and Clubs: Local parasport-specific and
It’s evident that previous studies, the Ontario Parasport Collective, inclusive community clubs, programs
policies and practices often assume ParaSport Ontario has invested 12 and services are profiled by region
that the low participation rates have months researching and vetting re- with specific, up-to-date contact
much to do with the motivation and sources, and constructing an essential information for newcomers.
desire of a person with a disability. first-of-its-kind online hub of parasport
Yet, existing research shows that content. It’s designed for participants Resources: ParaSport Ontario has
structural barriers to participation and athletes with disabilities, coaches, compiled a reliable repository of
are so massive that there is no way students, activity leaders, caregivers, resources and solutions including
to even begin to assess the role of educators and healthcare professionals. a video library, tip sheets, physical
attitudes and motivation. literacy research, personal stories and
With a click on the sport or recreational much more, to provide a pathway for
The worldwide Covid-19 pandemic activity of interest, visitors can access everyBODY to get in the game.
brought a brighter light to injustices the following and more:
that many individuals face, especially Visit www.parasportontario.ca.
those with disabilities. According to a Sport Leaders: The provincial sport
Covid-19 Disability Survey, more than organization that oversees the sport References
half of respondents said their require- and importantly, who is the specific Abilities Centre & The Canadian Dis-
ments were not addressed in several someone to contact for information ability Participation Project. (2020).
areas relating to accessibility during on the para or adaptive version of it. The COVID-19 Disability Survey.
the pandemic (Abilities Centre &
The Canadian Disability Participation Experts: With questions regarding Peers, D. K. (2020). (Un)imaginable
Project, 2020). parasport in Ontario, be it about par- (Para-)athletes: A Discourse Analy-
ticipation, classification, competing, sis of Athletics Websites in Canada.
“Rather than always assuming volunteering, coaching, or anything Adapted physical activity quarterly:
APAQ, 37(1), 112–128.
people with disabilities are the prob-
ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021 15

FJOIN THE CLUB
S
T CIRCLE O

UPPOR

Virtual Programming

MAKES THE CONNECTION

By Jeff Tiessen

Husband and wife, Jim and Loretta Davis, joined the ranks of virtual physical activity programmers
with limited technical know-how and no idea of the time it required. Not deterred, the Brock Niagara
Penguins duo leaned into the needs of fellow club members and their own passion for parasport to
guide them in creating something remarkable.

16 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021

Photos courtesy of Jim and Loretta Davis

After both graduating with a diploma position of virtual coordinator with As the spring of 2020 turned to
from Niagara College’s Educational the Niagara club as well. summer, Loretta and Jim were hosting
Assistant program, Jim and Loretta bi-weekly social calls that incorporated
struggled to find work in their field. Two years ago, at the very onset some fun games, but primarily gave
The twenty-somethings also struggled of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Brock athletes a chance to socialize. This
to find opportunities to be physically Niagara Penguins announced the time gave athletes the opportunity to
active. That was 17 years ago, about disappointing news that the club was talk about things they were struggling
the same time that a fledgling sports canceling its annual wheelchair basket- with during the pandemic.
club for athletes with disabilities was ball tournament as well as its boccia
founded in Niagara. That club, the qualifier… and its own programming “We always try to end calls on
Brock Niagara Penguins, was quick of course. But Penguins leaders quickly a positive note,” says Jim, “but we
to support Jim and Loretta’s interest realized that something was needed quickly learned that our sessions were
in just getting out and getting active to replace the programming void for good not just as an outlet for physical
with a wheelchair basketball program. the sake of its athletes’ physical and activity, but to voice fears and con-
Today, the couple are club leaders mental health. cerns and frustrations. We spent a lot
applying their education to club pro- of time just talking with our members
gramming. “A group of us got together to as a group and on an individual basis
brainstorm and create a plan of action after the formal programming part of
Loretta and Jim, now 41 and to keep our team together through the session finished, and even on the
43 years old respectively, have this difficult time,” Loretta remem- phone at different times during the
translated their love for wheel- bers. “The first thing we did was week. So the time commitment for us
chair basketball, sitting volleyball, create a private Facebook group as a has been huge.”
boccia and handcycling into coach- safe environment where our athletes,
ing and instructor positions with coaches and volunteers could interact “One-hour sessions really don’t end
the Penguins – Loretta, the club’s with one another. We created weekly after 60 minutes,” Loretta adds. “And
NCCP-certified (National Certified challenges called Motivational Mon- we realized how important it was to
Coaching Program) boccia coach days where we encouraged each other our athletes to have someone like Jim
and Jim, its wheelchair basketball to perform different workouts, acts of and me to talk to who have lived expe-
coach and handcycling instructor. kindness and some fun physical activi- rience in the disability community.”
And, in response to the shut-down of ties.” The group, as Loretta points out,
Penguins programming over the last offered a sense of community that the As time marched on, the virtual duo
two years, Loretta assumed a new Penguins have always provided for its added Flashback Fridays to conjure
athletes. some fun memories among the group
to keep everyone’s spirits up. It was

“ I have been so grateful for the virtual programming created by
the Brock Niagara Penguins not only for the physical exercise
aspect of these sessions but also the socialization that has kept
my mental state well.”

– Penguins Participant

only when it became apparent that Penguins partnered with the
the fall of 2020 was not going to Niagara Centre for Independent
allow the club to get back to in-person Living in hosting Let’s Talk ses-
sessions that a group of club leaders sions online to share information
decided to create virtual program- about what services are available to
ming, with an ambitious plan of three people with disabilities in Niagara. “A
times a week. lot of our athletes are at the age of
transitioning from youth to adulthood
Monday nights became Get Active and are getting ready for college and
night for younger athletes and those university,” explains Loretta.
who like to do low-impact workouts Participant feedback is very import-
like yoga, dance and fitness. Wednes- ant to the virtual programming. Every
day evenings offered Social Time with three months athletes are asked about
activities such as game night, paint and the sessions and activities that they
cook nights. prefer. “If the athletes are not enjoying
the program they just won’t continue
“Saturday is our most intense work- to come,” notes Loretta.
out for our sitting volleyball, basket- Over the past two years, the
ball, and sledge hockey athletes,” says Penguins have been able to retain
Loretta. “We do CrossFit workouts to some of its volunteers and student
keep up on training. And thanks to the placements by having them help out
Ontario Cerebral Palsy Sports Associ- with virtual programming. “They are
ation and Boccia Canada for providing the driving force behind the pro-
at-home boccia kits, we’ve been able grams,” Loretta says. “Their dedica-
to offer a virtual program for boccia tion to putting the athletes’ needs
athletes every other Friday.” above their own has been so appre-
ciated. I wouldn’t have been able to
The success of the Davis’s virtual make these programs so successful
programming captured the attention without them.”
of other parasport clubs in the prov- The impact of the Penguins’
ince. “One thing that I’m particularly virtual programming has given
proud of is having athletes from other athletes a variety of opportunities to
organizations and clubs join us from stay active and connected through
outside of our Niagara Region,” shares difficult times. “We know that virtual
Jim. “They enjoy what we’re doing. It programming is not as much fun as
doesn’t matter to us that they’re not in-person, but staying connected is
from our club; it’s just great to give so important,” Jim maintains.
everybody an opportunity to partici- “We’ve made the commitment
pate with us.” that we will stick with virtual pro-
gramming until all of our in-person
This sentiment extended to other programs are back up and running
organizations in Niagara’s disability consistently,” promises Loretta.
sector as well. This past summer the “Until then, there will always be a
virtual program for people. No one
is going to be left behind.”

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FEATURE

BOUND FOR BEI

ONTARIO’S 2022

Winter Paralympians

By Emily Blackborow and Maryann Macharia

Christina Picton, from Fonthill, has played sports since

she was 11 years old and will make her Paralympic debut in the sit-ski event
in Beijing. Christina was introduced to para-nordic skiing through her involve-
ment in sledge hockey in Port Colborne. One of her students in her “Learn to
Sledge” event was a para-nordic skier and convinced Christina to give it a try.
On rainy day in December of 2018, Christina made her first nordic run and
fell in love with the freedom of navigating the trails.

Collin Cameronisa Photos courtesy of Canadian Paralympic Committee

Team Canada veteran and triple bronze
medalist at the 2018 Games. From Brace-
bridge, his introduction to para-nordic skiing
came by chance after seeing some Facebook
photos on the Sudbury Accessible Sports
Council page. His first para-nordic ski camp
was in Canmore in 2015 and two years later
he was named Elite Athlete of the Year in
Sudbury, taking his first international title at
the 2019 World Championships in B.C.

20 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021

JING Mark Ideson made his debut as skip in 2018, leading

Canada to a bronze medal in wheelchair curling at the 2018 Paralym-
pic Winter Games. The London native was introduced to wheelchair
curling when a friend asked him to try it. Hesitant at first, Ideson didn’t
want to return to any sports that he had played prior to his injury
where he would compare his abilities. But he did and is now one of
the world’s best athletes in the sport. He has led his team to the past
three World Championships, highlighted by a silver medal in 2020.

Collinda Joseph,

from Stittsville, has competed at the
last three world championships as
a member of Canada’s wheelchair
curling team. Her involvement in
the sport started with a Give-It-A-Go
event at her rehab centre in Ottawa.
That was 2015. The following winter
she secured her spot on an Ottawa
team. Joseph’s first selection to
Team Canada was in 2019. The 2022
Games in Beijing will be her first
Paralympic Team.

ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021 21

Jon Thurston is one of Team

Canada’s newest – and youngest – wheelchair curlers
at age 38. Thurston heard about wheelchair curling
from a coach who saw an article that the local news-
paper had written about Thurston’s recovery after
his injury. Carl Rennick was coaching a competitive
wheelchair team that was looking for a fourth player
at the time. Thurston threw a few rocks and decided
to try the sport for a season. Five years later he was
chosen for the Team Canada NextGen Program
and in 2019, two years later, was selected to Team
Canada. Besides wheelchair curling, Thurston is one
of Canada’s top waterskiers with a disability. He is
also an archer, boxer and does some Jiu-Jitsu.

Tristan Rodgers has been guiding

five-time Paralympic medalist Mac Marcoux since 2018. The pair enjoyed
their best moments prior to the start of the pandemic in the 2019-2020 season, which
was highlighted by Marcoux’s 50th career World Cup podium after a giant slalom victory. The pair
won all eight races they entered on the circuit that season and won the Crystal Globe as the year’s giant slalom
World Cup champions. They ranked second overall and in the Super G. Rodgers, from Ottawa, raced with the Mont
Tremblant Ski Club before pursuing an engineering degree at the University of Ottawa. Following his second year
of studies, he put his schooling on hold to guide Marcoux. With his past racing experience, he is a perfect partner
for Marcoux while the two travel downhill at speeds upwards of 100 km/h. Rodgers also has a passion for moun-
tain biking, something the two can be found doing together through the off-season.

22 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021

Rod Crane is one of

the newer faces on Canada’s para
ice hockey team. Crane scored
his first goal for Canada at the
2019 Worlds and added two more
in 2021 in a round-robin victory
over Czech Republic. Now living
in Clarksburg, Crane grew up in
Heathcote and played stand-up
hockey as a goalie for 12 years.
Crane started playing para ice
hockey in 2014 thanks to an intro-
duction to the Elmvale Bears by his
hospital social worker after his inju-
ry. Crane is also a nationally-ranked
para-alpine sit-skier.

Greg Westlake is headed to his fifth Paralympic Games.

In addition to his para ice hockey silver medal from the 2018 Paralympic
Games in South Korea, Westlake won gold in his games debut in 2006 and
added a bronze in 2014. He is a nine-time World Championship team mem-
ber with three World titles. Westlake has also worked as a broadcaster for
CBC at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games and the 2016 Paralympic
Games in Rio. An avid golfer too, he is also the host of AMI’s Level Playing
Field and Beyond the Field television programs which showcase the power
of sport through stories about athletes and organizations.

Alex Massie,from

Barrie, has been one of Canada’s
top para snowboarders since joining
the national team in 2015, consis-
tently keeping himself in the ranks
of the world’s top five. Heading
to his second Paralympic Games,
he is a two-time X Games medalist
(bronze in 2015, silver in 2016), Big
White bronze medalist (2016), and
IPC Snowboard World Cup medalist
(2016). Most recently he became a
double medalist at the World Para
Snow Sports Championships.

ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021 23

Katie Combaluzier

is making an impact in her first season in inter-
national para-alpine skiing and hopes it will lead
her to the podium in Beijing. The Toronto skier
has truly made her mark on Team Canada in
her first year of racing. At the 2021 World Para
Snow Sports Championships in Lillehammer,
Norway, Combaluzier earned silver medals in
the women’s sitting super combined and giant
slalom, as well as a bronze in the downhill.
Combaluzier finished in Norway with a total
of eight medals, four silver and four bronze.

Brian Rowland, from Merrickville, is making his

Paralympic debut at the Beijing Games. Rowland gained plenty of
valuable experience competing at two World Cups and the World
Para Snow Sports Championships. He competes in the alpine sit-ski
category, joining the national team in 2019 after winning the silver
medal at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer. Rowland began
his journey in adaptive sports after joining the adaptive ski program
at Calabogie. He began competing for Team Ontario in the winter
of 2018 and joined Alpine Canada’s NextGen program the following
season. Rowland is a fan of summer sports too, winning the adaptive
category at the 2019 Canadian Wakesurfing Championships on
Chestermere Lake in Alberta.

James Dunn

became the youngest player
in Hockey Canada history to
represent our country at the
Paralympics when he cracked the
roster for the 2018 PyeongChang
Winter Games at age 17. Raised
in Wallacetown, Dunn heads
to Beijing as one of Canada’s
alternates to team captain Tyler
McGregor who introduced him
to the sport in 2013. A year later
he joined the London Blizzard
Sledge Hockey Club.

24 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021

Ben Delaney was introduced to

para ice hockey by former national team captain
and 2018 PyeongChang Chef de Mission Todd
Nicholson. He began playing with the Ottawa
Sledgehammers in 2010. In 2014, Delaney was the
youngest member on the national para ice hockey
team at 17 at the Paralympic Games. Delaney

reached the Paralympic podium in 2014 when
the team won bronze, and collected a second
Paralympic Games medal in 2018 as Canada took
the silver.

Garrett Riley,

from Brantford, participated in
his first World Championships
in 2019. But after undergoing
surgery in January 2020 on his
amputated leg, combined with
the pandemic, he didn’t play the
entire year. He began playing
para ice hockey in 2017 after
attending an event held by the
Canadian Paralympic Commit-
tee in Montreal that aimed to
find potential Paralympians. “It
changed my life 100 percent.
Being able to skate again…
that’s what I was meant to do.
Hockey is what I love to do.”

Mac Marcoux, from Sault Ste. Marie, is classified as

a B3 para-alpine skier. Marcoux first came onto the World Cup scene
in 2013, at the age of 15, with his older brother Billy Joe serving as his
guide. The siblings raced to three podium spots in their first season,
as well as a silver in giant slalom at the 2013 World Para Alpine Skiing
Championships in La Molina, Spain. Marcoux won gold and two bronze
medals at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games with Robin Femy as
his guide, and added another gold and bronze at PyeongChang 2018
with Jack Leitch. He missed the 2018 season with a ruptured disc but is
returning to competition at the Beijing 2022 Games.

Tyler McGregor hails from the small town

of Forest and has taken international hockey by storm. Canada’s
top scorer at the last two World Championships – 2019 and 2021
– he was second among all tournament players with 13 points in
2019. McGregor established himself on Canada’s national para
ice hockey team at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games that
earned the bronze medal. In February 2021, he raised more than
$30,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation by skating 25 kilometres in
his sledge.

Adam Dixon, from Midland, is

a defenceman for Team Canada and a two-time
Paralympic Winter Games medalist. He took up
the sport at age 11 with the Elmvale Bears and
at age 17 was invited to try out for the nation-
al team. Since Dixon’s first appearance with
the national team in 2006 he has recorded 85
goals, 141 assists and 226 points, placing him
fourth all-time in all three categories. Dixon was
Canada’s top scorer at the Sochi 2014 Paralym-
pic Winter Games. At the 2017 World Para Ice
Hockey Championships in Gangneung, South
Korea, Dixon received the Best Defenceman
Award and shared top honours in tournament
scoring with the U.S.’s Declan Farmer.

Michaela Gosselin will be making her Paralympic debut on the Canadian

para-alpine ski team. Gosselin, of Collingwood, grew up skiing at Osler Bluff Ski Club and raced
in able-bodied competitions at the Ontario Cup until the end of her U16 year, and then coached
for two seasons at Osler. Gosselin was recruited by the Ontario Para Alpine Ski
Team and joined national para-alpine competitions in 2019 as a NextGen
athlete. At the most recent World Para
Snow Sports Championships she won
the bronze medal in the women’s
standing slalom. Leading up to
the Worlds, Gosselin cracked the
top-five ranks in four
World Cup races,
winning a
bronze
medal.

26 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021

Zach Lavin started

playing para ice hockey with the
Calgary Scorpions in 2016 after an
introduction to the sport by Chris
Cederstrand, a former member of
Canada’s National Sledge Team. He
made an impressive international
debut with Team Canada at the 2019
World Championships. In 2021, the
Essex resident was one of 17 players
selected to represent Canada at the
Worlds held in Ostrava, Czech Re-
public. At both Worlds, the Canadian
Team earned a silver medal.

Tyrone Henry started playing sledge hockey

with his hometown Ottawa Falcons in 2011 and was named
to his first national team roster for the 2017 World Champion-
ships. Since, he’s been a staple of Canada’s defence. Henry has
been mentored by Canadian para ice hockey player Marc Dorion,
and serves on the board of directors at Sledge Hockey of Eastern
Ontario as the intermediate division program coordinator.

Rob
Armstrong

has been a hockey fanatic
from a young age. Initially
a goaltender when playing
road hockey with his friends
in Erin, he pondered for
nearly four years whether he
would attempt to hop into a
sled and try para ice hockey.
He started in 2006 with the
Mississauga Cruisers and it was
love at first push. Since the
2018 Games in PyeongChang,
Armstrong has been a prominent forward with Team Canada earning silver medals at the 2019 and 2021 Worlds.
His personal ambition is to win gold at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing.

ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021 27

ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Return to GARRETT
RILEY
PLAY
Finds
His Game

Photos courtesy of Garrett Riley By Kevin Waters

Brantford’s Garrett Riley is
striving for a return to Canada’s
National Para Ice Hockey Team,
this time to compete at the 2022
Paralympic Games in Beijing,
China. Garrett, a forward, played
on the wing for Team Canada on
the 2019 silver medal-winning
World Championships team in
Czech Republic. I spoke with him
as he returned to intensive training
for the Winter Games after a near
season-ending injury.

KEVIN: I want to start by asking about
your early days in sports. Did you play
sports before sledge hockey?

GARRETT: I started skating when I was
two or three years old. I grew up in a
hockey family and played at a high level
of stand-up hockey. At 15, I was diag-
nosed with osteosarcoma – the same
cancer that Terry Fox had – and had an
internal prosthesis put in my leg to try
and save it. I had a bunch of post-surgery

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complications, but I was grateful to GARRETT: That’s definitely a hard buddies, or watching some hockey on
be able to play one more season of time to get diagnosed. I’m not saying the weekend. Just little things; I’m not
stand-up hockey. The pain became there’s an easy time, but that was that complicated of a person. I enjoy
too much, and I stepped away from right in the middle of my high school little things like hanging with friends
the game. About three years later I career. I just had to take every day as or laying low.
found the Hamilton Sledgehammers it came. It was a very tough process.
and never looked back. I had chemotherapy for about a KEVIN: And what frustrates you?
year and a lot of pain and surgeries
KEVIN: Sport was a big part of your to follow. But I had a good support GARRETT: I still have quite a bit of
identity. Did it take some time to group which included close family pain that I deal with on a day-to-day
get to that point of wanting to play and some friends too. basis. I also had to take these last
sports again? couple of years off from training,
KEVIN: What was your time like in which “worked out” with COVID-19
GARRETT: When I was first diag- the rehab process? restrictions. I missed a few years with
nosed, I asked my surgeon if I would the boys, hockey, and all the positives
ever play hockey again. Right off the GARRETT: I was grateful to meet of those experiences. I had a couple
bat I was told “No”. I’m a driven per- with a prosthetist before my ampu- surgeries to try and fix my pain issues,
son, so I just kept telling myself that tation to understand where things but unfortunately, they did not. That
I could compete again. And that’s would be going after surgery. It was being said, I feel really grateful to be
what I did. It created more pain in a long, tough road through the rehab in the program that I’m in with Hockey
my legs, so I had to step back, but I part of it. There were days that I had Canada. I wish everyone was able to get
was grateful that I was able to find to sit around for the day and I’m the support they need after their injury.
sledge hockey. not much of a sitting-around kind of
person. I just kept looking forward KEVIN: I’m curious, was Team Canada
KEVIN: You asked the doctor “can to being able to walk again and do immediately a goal or did that devel-
I play hockey again?” and sledge regular things again, or as regular as op over time?
hockey was not suggested? it was going to be. But everyone’s
experience will be different. For me, GARRETT: It wasn’t an immediate
GARRETT: Yeah. I feel that hospitals it was about moving forward and thought. It was about getting back
should have someone who knows things would get better. on the ice and doing something that
about parasports or recreation op- I love to do. Everything went so fast.
tions to show people with disabilities KEVIN: Aside from sledge hockey, I started in 2016 and ended up losing
that they have opportunities. what else brings you joy? my leg in 2017. I made the Team Canada
Development Program six months
KEVIN: After your diagnosis, GARRETT: Oh, that’s a good ques- after I lost my leg. It was about four
what was that experience like as tion! I find joy in doing things like months after that that I was at the
a teenager? playing golf, hanging out with National Selection Camp. Everything
went really quickly. If I have any advice
for anyone striving for excellence, it’s
to be present in the process. It goes
fast, but just take in everything that
comes along with it.

KEVIN: Tell me a bit about the path-
way from sledge hockey beginner to
Team Canada.

GARRETT: It’s about getting on the ice
as much as possible. It’s getting used
to being in a sledge. It’s so foreign at
first to handle a puck and skate [with
the stick] at the same time. In stand-up
hockey you have your legs to skate and
your upper body to move the puck. It’s
just working on weaknesses more than
strengths.

430 ParaSport Magazine | FWAILNLT2E0R220021

KEVIN: You went from diagnosis to
trying sledge hockey, then ampu-
tation to returning to sledge. You
transitioned to playing sledge hock-
ey before and after the amputation.
Not very linear right?

GARRETT: My journey was definitely
different from most but it helped me
grow into the person and player that
I am today.

KEVIN: What’s your advice for any- it’s a great space for beginners as GARRETT: It’s too bad with the
one who has similar Team Canada well. You just need to try it. It will current state of the world that
goals and aspirations? be hard at first for sure, but just people can’t get out to watch a
start. game or a practice. I’d really like
GARRETT: It’s just sticking with it. for people to come out and watch
Every time you get on the ice, you’re KEVIN: For someone who has us play. And if you’re able to get
not going to be good. You’re not never heard of sledge hockey in a sledge and give it a try, by all
going to score goals every game or before, what would be your means, do it. I want to open peo-
every practice. It’s going to take time selling point for the sport? ple’s minds to new opportunities.
and you need to just stick with it. If Sledge hockey is one of the hard-
it’s what you want to do then don’t GARRETT: I’ve met a lot of est and most rewarding sports you
give up. It’s cliché but never give up people who have never heard of can play.
on your goals.
sledge hockey. I tell KEVIN: Anything else you’d like
KEVIN: How important is recre- them that it’s the to add that we haven’t already
ational sledge to the sledge hockey Paralympic equiv- touched on?
community? alent to stand-up
hockey. I feel that’s GARRETT: I think for people who
GARRETT: Absolutely important! It’s a big selling point aren’t sure what to do or where
a great space to build new friend- because that’s the their life can go after an injury or
ships. I met quite a few of my good biggest stage there an illness, it’s important to just give
buddies through sledge hockey. And is in sport. I’d say things a try and see if you like it. If
if they have the you don’t like it, you don’t like it. If
chance to watch a you do, give it your all. There is a
game, or try it, that life after injuries and illnesses. I also
they should. I get to wanted to say that I really appreci-
do it every day, so ate what ParaSport Ontario is doing
I’m grateful for that for the sport; it’s really incredible.
for sure. Growing the sport is what we’re
doing and what we’re here for.
KEVIN: What do you Growing the sport and bringing in
think would be the new people is huge. I really appre-
best way to grow ciate what you and the people at
sledge hockey to a ParaSport Ontario do.
larger audience?
ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021 31

ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT Photo courtesy of Canadian Paralympic Committee

Christina

PICTON

32 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021

Making the Switch from
Sledge to Sit-Skiing

By Emily Blackborow

In February 2020, Sportsnet The nordic sit-ski is a magnificent Hills can be a challenge for sit-skiers
released an article titled, “How piece of adaptive sporting equip- she shares, and recommends that
Christina Picton is leading ment for individuals with mobility beginners start by learning safety
the way for women’s para limitations. With it, winter enthusi- skills and go out with a companion
ice hockey.” Two years later asts can access snow-covered trails, who can provide a push if needed on
Christina Picton will make her fields and cross-country ski areas, a hill.
Paralympic debut in a sit-ski in and experience the freedom that
the para-nordic event. comes with it. Christina is taken with the out-
door training and the new challenge.
Fonthill, Ontario’s Christina Picton Even with only a few manufac- After 15 years of hockey arenas, get-
has been involved in sport since she turers of the equipment, there are ting out in the snow was “even more
was 11 years old. She played in a different types of sit-skis, each de- freeing and even more exciting,”
softball league before she learned signed to support a variety of users. she says. “Being in nature, I’m able
about sledge hockey which she then Ski poles are shortened to accommo- to see sights I’d never seen before,”
began playing immediately. With date the user’s seat height. she adds.
the support of her parents, she rose
up the ranks quickly, and is a mem- Sit-skiing provides a valuable
ber of the Canadian Women’s Para opportunity for those with mobility
Ice Hockey Team. She continues to impairments to experience the
support the national and interna- tranquility of Ontario’s
tional development of women’s para outdoor trails,
ice hockey and works hard to create a sentiment
opportunities for female athletes to that Christina
compete. shares for
the sport.
Christina was introduced to
sit-skiing through her participation Photo by Dave Johnson/The Welland Tribune Staff
in sledge hockey in Port Colborne,
Ontario. One of the participants
whom she was coaching at her
“Learn to Sledge” event was a
para-nordic skier and convinced
Christina to give it a try. On a mis-
erably rainy December day in 2018,
Christina had her first run down a
mountain and fell in love with the
freedom of navigating the trails.

ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021 33

She turned her competitive drive classification for physical and visually Christina loves the strategy
to skiing when she was introduced to impaired athletes, providing for a behind the sport. Coming from a
Team Canada. After earning her spot wide variety of athletes and abilities to team sport like para ice hockey,
on the provincial team, she partici- compete on the course. there is a different type of pressure
pated in her first Para-Nordic Skiing in an individual sport like skiing to
World Cup in January of 2020, just one Races are held in distances from stay focused and disciplined within
year after her first competition. With one to 20 kilometres, and relays are yourself and your race plan, she ex-
exposure to international competi- held in both sports. Standing classes plains. Skiers will tackle the course
tion, Christina knew she wanted to be are LW2-LW9: LW2 to LW4 are for differently, establishing race plans
part of this sport too. She set serious skiers with leg impairments; LW5 to that determine where and when to
expectations for herself, determined LW8 are for skiers with arm impair- overtake competitors and manage
to proudly represent Canada at the ments and LW9 is for skiers with a the exertion needed to do so.
Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games after combination of arm and leg impair-
only three years in the sport. ments. Sit-skiing classes are LW10 to The para-nordic national team
LW12 – all sit-skiers have disabilities trains in Alberta, at the Canmore
At the Paralympic level, para-nordic that affect their mobility. Skiers who altitude camp. There, Christina is
skiing includes cross-country skiing and are blind or with visual impairment training twice a day in preparation
biathlon. There are different levels of are classified B1 to B3. for the Games, most likely rocking
out to Freddie Mercury and some
Photo by Cross Country Ski Ontario oldies tunes alongside her team, all
the while practising a steely focus
on the course and executing her
plan.

Christina expresses much grati-
tude to her support staff, coaches
and other athletes who have guided
her transition from sledge hockey
to skiing. “An incredible team has
made the experience easier and
really enjoyable,” she says.

Collin Cameron, a fellow Ontario
athlete, also made the transition
from hockey to skiing and has been
a great mentor and friend. She has
also learned a lot from team veter-
ans like Brittany Hudak and Brian
McKeever. “They’ve spent a lot of
time skiing with me. I feel really
lucky to be surrounded by such
experienced athletes.”

Christina Picton is a prime
example of how perseverance and
hard work can open doors that at
one time were never imagined.
When asked what advice she has
for young, aspiring para-athletes
Christina says, “I’ve learned to just
stay curious. It makes every day of
training full of possibility and really
exciting. You can go out there and
surprise yourself some days and
take motivation from that. Keep
learning and working hard and
make sure you’re having fun too.”

34 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021

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RECREATION

Photo by Luke Edwards

Building Community
with Fun, Fitness and

Friendships

The Niagara Sledge Hockey League

By Kevin Waters

36 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021

The Niagara Sledge Hockey League (NSHL) is a first-of-its-kind community program. Constructed by ParaSport®
Ontario, with the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, the new
league was built from the ground up through countless foundational relationships which included sponsors,
municipalities, organizations, players and their friends and families, and volunteers.

These essential relationships created embracing their town’s sledge hockey stay active, I’ll need a wheelchair
something more influential than a new team. full-time,” said Shelley Gilbert in
league for sledge hockey in the Region an interview with Moosa Imran of
of Niagara. It created a community When ParaSport Ontario’s “Sledge Niagara This Week, the region’s
– a community of people who want Hockey in Action” Santa Claus Parade weekly newspaper.
to see others around them succeed. float joined the traditional procession
The creation of a new sledge hockey along Grimsby’s route just a week The league also serves a critical
community has been the best part later, sledge players were met with need within the larger community in
of the NSHL, and the league will look cheers and exclamations of “there’s Niagara to produce more recreational
to continue to help grow parasport sledge hockey” from throngs of kids options for participation throughout
across the Niagara region. and adults alike lining the streets. the ongoing pandemic. This would
That sense of recognition meant the not have been possible without the
The NSHL community launched world to the athletes riding on the enthusiastic support from the local
with four participating municipalities. float’s mini rink in full hockey gear. arenas and their staff. With respect
Grimsby, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines This was more than a sport or a jersey, to staff, take Angelo and Brent from
and Welland became the inaugural this was a new slice of their identity. Grimsby’s Peach King Centre for
host communities. Each community They were Niagara Sledge Hockey example. The “Zamboni drivers” as
brought a different element to the League players. they’re known by the players, are
project. both quick to help out as unofficial
Beyond their new identity, the volunteers, carrying sledges to and
The league was designed to be all NSHL community is an opportunity from the ice, and helping players
inclusive, open to all ages and abili- for individuals to find a welcoming into their equipment where needed,
ties, and for people with and without social space that provides fitness, and always exuding respect for their
disabilities to participate. “It gives a fun and friendships. “A few years abilities.
person past his athletic prime a chance ago, my neurologist told me if I don’t
to get back on the ice, enjoy compe- ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021 37
tition and play a sport together with Photo by FraserValleynewsnetwork.com
family,” said a sixty-year-old player
on the Grimsby Sledge Hockey Team.
That is exactly the mission and vision
for the community program… a sport
opportunity for everyBODY.

The Town of Grimsby welcomed
sledge hockey into the fold of its
community events which generat-
ed enormous awareness for sledge
hockey everywhere. It was magical to
watch the entirety of a town develop
a different lens on a parasport. At
Rogers Hometown Hockey’s weekend
festival in Grimsby, ParaSport Ontar-
io introduced hundreds of Grimsby
residents and young hockey players to
the sport. What was at first welcomed
with hesitation and expressions of
“that’s a funny way to play hockey”
quickly evolved into Grimsby residents

Photo by Luke Edwards ensured that the needs of athletes Another key to the growth of the
with disabilities were being met even Niagara Sledge Hockey League was
When creating a community, it is when they were overlooked by gov- meaningful and impassioned guid-
important to find a home. One of the ernment-issued restrictions. ance and support. Local support from
four arenas that opened the 2021- the Brock Niagara Penguins and their
22 season is Ridley College, which In addition to its hospitality Niagara Thunderblades competitive
emerged as the launchpad of the pre- during league play, Ridley College sledge hockey team was a perfect
miere Niagara Sledge Hockey League also hosted the Official Puck Drop blend for first-time sledge hockey
season. Beyond the care of hosting event, the league’s kick-off cere- players. Thunderblades players signed
weekly sledge hockey sessions, Ridley monies and first game. The school’s on to play alongside newcomers, cre-
College was welcoming and inclusive desire to open its doors to inclusive ating new leaders and peer mentors
in an ever-changing environment. and adaptive programing is invalu- in the fresh community.
able and makes for an exceptional
The inaugural season was met with example for other schools and Leadership at the recreational level
Covid-19 restrictions that put a vice facilities desiring to create more has helped numerous players find
on the athletes’ ability to participate. adaptive programming. their parasport path in sledge hockey.
Jay Tredway, Stacy Graham, and other
Ridley staff, and student volunteers,

Helping Hands that she could continue to do at her own pace. “I went
to my first session in Welland and learned quickly that
Volunteers are an integral cog in any community proj- sledge hockey is something special. Helping to get all
ect, and ParaSport Ontario’s Niagara Sledge Hockey the players fitted for sleds and watching the smiles and
League is no exception. NSHL volunteers help organize laughs is so inspiring for me. I’ve made new friends,
the equipment for participants, provide on-ice assis- learned a lot about parasports and even enjoyed a game
tance, and ensure that each member of the new league or two in a sled of my own.”
is enjoying the experience. And they play too!
“I am very grateful that sledge hockey is in our region
Wendy Foote, a first-time volunteer with now,” said Hélène Michaud, another committed NSHL
ParaSport Ontario, said, “I have been playing
hockey for about 50 years now and even volunteer. “As a volunteer, I would say to those inter-
though I’ve slowed a little I still really enjoy ested in helping and playing [sledge hockey], you
playing the game. Sledge is a great way won’t regret the decision.”
for me to keep playing.” ParaSport Ontario continues to look for
valued volunteers to help its programs
The chance to get involved with some- reach new heights. To see how you can get
thing you love regardless of ability speaks involved with parasports in Niagara check
clearly to the vision of ParaSport Ontario. out www.parasportniagara.ca/volunteer.
Wendy knew when she saw the advertise- To volunteer elsewhere in Ontario, email
ment for sledge hockey that this was something [email protected] with your

specific interests and location.

38 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021

Those who wish to continue to partic- A Family Affair
ipate in a recreational fashion can do
so, and for those who seek to progress Riley Dunda was the first to explore sledge hockey in Grimsby. A former
to a more competitive landscape, that OJHL player, Riley suffered a life-changing stroke just before his 19th
pursuit is available for them as well. birthday, leaving him with some permanent deficits. Now at the age of
Having support from sledge hockey 26, Riley is back playing hockey.
veterans, especially at the highest
level, helped our players develop what “From the moment I first got into the sledge I could feel the love
might just be a lifelong interest. of hockey again,” he said. “Overall, it’s the teamwork and how we all
share the ice no matter which way we choose to play the game. What
The Niagara Sledge Hockey League ParaSport Ontario has done has been a thrill and brought back excite-
also received support from National ment of sport for myself and for my family. I hope that going forward I
Team members. “It’s a huge move am able to do my part and help spread the word about the game in all
for our sport,” former Canadian Para capacities.”
Ice Hockey player Kevin Rempel said
during an interview with Rod Maw- Riley is always first to help other players with transfers or equipment
hood of the Niagara Sports Report. if they need it, and on the ice he always looks to share his expertise from
“It’s so important for the Paralympics, his former hockey career. He’s a leader on the Grimsby Sledge Hockey
for people with disabilities, and for Team and has been a great addition off the ice as well representing his
integrating the community with more team and league in numerous TV and newspaper interviews. Riley truly
local recreational programming.” exemplifies the spirit of parasport itself.

Rempel, a Paralympic bronze It wasn’t long into the season that his family wanted to give sledge
medallist and St. Catharines native, hockey a try. An opportunity to play alongside Riley was something they
has been a driving force behind the did not want to miss. Linda and Richard, his mom and dad, became team
new NSHL community, offering his members too, playing every week faithfully. Riley’s sister Mimi and broth-
expertise to the league and its new er Liam, both high-level university athletes, didn’t miss the chance to play
members. Rempel launched a Sledge with their family when they were home for the holidays.
Skills video series in conjunction with
the launch of the NSHL that highlights “I was so thankful for the opportunity for my whole family to partic-
key skills and drills to help beginners ipate in sledge hockey over the Christmas break,” said Linda. “With two
develop. The series features six-time children living away from home, it’s not often that the whole Dunda fam-
para ice hockey Paralympian Billy ily is able to get together for one night in an activity that brought every
Bridges and Canadian Women’s para single one of us so much joy.”
ice hockey player Claire Buchanon who
share their knowledge and abilities “I think everyone in my family would agree that playing sledge togeth-
with newcomers to the sport and er was one of the most fun experiences that we have had as a family,”
demonstrate to new players how high said Liam.
they can soar.
A family, playing sledge hockey together regardless of one another’s
ability, is exactly what ParaSport Ontario imagined for the Niagara Sledge
Hockey League for those with and without disabilities.

Photo by Moosa Imran

ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021 39



PUCK DROP

The Official Launch of the Niagara Sledge Hockey League

RIDLEY COLLEGE • ST. CATHARINES, ONTARIO • DECEMBER 11, 2021

A celebration of the first season of play in four Niagara communities
and a TRY IT free sledge skate for guests. And, the first official Niagara
Sledge Hockey League game.

Presented by Supported by
Sponsored by
An agency of the Government of Ontario
Un organisme du gouvernement de l’Ontario

ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021 41

N IAGARA A MODEL
Sledge Hockey League for Success

Photos by Luke Edwards

Being physically active is not always easy for people with
disabilities. “Where do I go where I’ll be included?” and “I
don’t have the equipment to play,” are two barriers that we
hear about too often.

But, with an infusion of adaptive sports equipment – including hockey sleds – into the Niagara
region thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities,
ParaSport® Ontario has the equipment problem covered. With the support of Niagara munici-
palities of Grimsby, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and Welland we have the “where can I play”
solution too, with a first-of-its-kind community sledge hockey league.

Being part of a team is something that most youth and young adults with disabilities never
experience. The thrill of wearing a team jersey is a first for many. Representing their communi-
ty and the camaraderie of teammates is a new lived-experience for most players, adding new
friendships to the fun and fitness they get from participating. The Niagara Sledge Hockey
League will help position Niagara as a model community of inclusive parasport participation in
Ontario, providing the “Niagara Blueprint” for other regions across the province.

42 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021

VISION
AND
MISSION

About ParaSport® Ontario

Much of what ParaSport® Ontario does every day is connect Ontarians with disabilities, volunteers,
coaches and other parasport enthusiasts to activities, sports and events that meet their interests.
Through a robust repository of resources, experts and ambassadors, we create pathways. It is an
individual journey for each, considering unique interests, abilities and aspirations. For some, the
Niagara Sledge Hockey League will be fulfilling just as it is, and for others it will be a stepping-stone
to bigger podiums… like the Paralympic Games.
Community and Connectivity sum up the mission of the Niagara Sledge Hockey League. Niaga-
ra’s community of individuals with a disability are finding community with teammates with and
without disabilities. They represent their community and influence awareness and ability. And
what’s more, they connect with others, connect with sport, and connect with a lifestyle that is
opening up new horizons physically, emotionally and socially.

ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021 43

GREETINGS FROM

I was privileged to represent Canada on the medal podium at three
Paralympic Games as a track athlete. But my parasport journey
began in a hockey arena.

And it started with a piece of adapted sports equipment. Not a sled like
our players use, but a funny-looking hockey stick. I lost both hands in
an accident at age 11, and went from being a kid who played every
sport I could, to playing none. Life for me at that time, like for many
others with disabilities still today, was about a lot of “Nos”... No, I
couldn’t play baseball anymore. No, I couldn’t ride a bike anymore.
No, I couldn’t participate in gym class.

But my dad was bound and bent to change some of those “Nos”
to “Yeses”. He started with hockey and that strange contraption of
a hockey stick. But he did more than that. He went back to the arena long before I did to make sure I’d be
included… accepted by coaches and players and parents. He made sure there was a community where I felt
that I belonged.

Today I’m privileged to lead an organization that does the same for others… turning “No You Can’ts” into “Yes
You Cans” and “Yes We Wills”… and helping connect people to sports and activity leaders and community.

And when it comes to our new Niagara Sledge Hockey League (NSHL) it’s all about Yeses. It starts with
“Yes you can play, with a disability or without. All abilities are welcome.”

PARAS P ORT® ONTAR IO

We received “Yeses” from recreation departments in Welland and Niagara Falls and the Town of Grimsby
when we asked for ice time when there wasn’t much available. And “Yes” from Ridley College when we
asked if our St. Catharines team could call its arena home. “Yes” from the Ontario Trillium Foundation when
we asked for support for new parasport initiatives in Niagara. And “Yes” from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
when we asked for help with equipment so that cost would not be a barrier for anyone who wanted to play.
And “Yes” from Meridian, the league’s Gold Sponsor and then the same from wheelchair manufacturer 49Bespoke.
Brand Boulevard supported our players with their NSHL jerseys and water bottles. Niagara College’s graphic
design program said “Yes” to creating the league logo. “Yeses” from volunteers, who are so important to the
league, like Héléne Michaud and Wendy Foote from Welland, Andrew Mitchell from Grimsby, Brock University
students Nathan and Owen, and the Ridley College Men’s Hockey Team.
“Yes” from Rogers Hometown Hockey when Krista Bowie from the Town of Grimsby pitched the Grimsby
Sledge Hockey Team for inclusion in the festivities and the story of hockey in Grimsby. Rogers agreed and
aired a segment and shout-out to the new league by Ron MacLean and Tara Slone on the broadcast.
And of course “Yeses” from our dignitaries, distinguished CBC broadcaster and Paralympian Rob Snoek and
National Team player Garrett Riley to be part of the Puck Drop event. And most importantly, “Yeses” from our players,
and their parents and spouses and friends who join them each week on their parasport pathway. Yes Indeed!

Jeff Tiessen
Paralympian and ParaSport Ontario Executive Director

ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021 45

“W e at Ridley College continue to strive
to demonstrate that we are the most
active school in the nation and we are
so pleased to be part of this League and
so incredibly proud to be the home for
the St. Catharines sledge hockey team.
We thank ParaSport Ontario for their
vision and transformational leadership
to get this league up and running.
St. Catharines Team… welcome
to your home. This is your
home!”

– Jay Tredway “ This league helped
Assistant Head me get back on the
of School, ice. My doctor said
Ridley College if I don’t stay active
with my spina bifida
“ It’s amazing how our I’ll be in a wheelchair
communities here full-time.”
in Niagara have come
together to be leaders in – Shelley
adaptive sport. I love the Team Niagara Falls
mission of this league:
All Ages. All Abilities. “ Theixspleearigeunec–eJiuslioantf,hTemeamybStle.iCfsaetth.a”rines

EveryBODY! It’s right in
line with our Niagara mission
for accessibility and inclusion
for everyone.”

– Jennie Stevens
MPP St. Catharines

“ I’m very honoured to be here today representing Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities.
The past 20 months have been extremely challenging for everyone, but the impact on
sport and recreation for youth will be felt for years. Canadian Tire was proud to step up with
$20 million to create the Jumpstart Sport Relief Fund, which allowed us to help hundreds,
if not thousands, of sport organizations across the country get through these tough times.
Jumpstart’s main focus of support for youth is around helping families with financial challenges and
youth with disabilities. So, when we received the Sport Relief grant request from ParaSport
Ontario for the Niagara Sledge Hockey League
it was a no-brainer. What a great opportunity for
Jumpstart to support a grassroots sledge hockey
program and watch it grow into bigger and better
things in the years to come in the Niagara Region. So,
on that note, I’m here today to present this ‘HUGE’
cheque to help with the much-needed equipment to
help get this program on the ice.”

– Harry J. Bell
Regional Manager Hamilton-Niagara & SWO

Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities

“I am honoured to attend the official Puck Drop. The Ontario Trillium Foundation
is an agency of the Government of Ontario and one of Canada’s leading grant-
making foundations. ParaSport Ontario received a Grow grant to assist with
staffing, and program and equipment costs needed to increase participation
in physical activities by people with disabilities. Your initiative is helping
Ontarians participate in an active lifestyle and has a great impact in the
community. l look forward to sharing your story with my fellow OTF volunteers.
Thank you for contributing to building a vibrant and healthier Ontario. Congratulations!”

– Nick DiFlavio
Volunteer, Ontario
Trillium Foundation

ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021 47

CELEBRITY BROADCASTER CALLS

Players were treated to having their first official
game in the Niagara Sledge Hockey League
called by renowned CBC play-by-play broadcaster
and Paralympian Rob Snoek. Rob has broadcast
more than twenty sports over the last twenty years
at Olympic and Paralympic Summer and Winter
Games. Prior to his broadcasting career, Rob
represented Canada three times at the Paralympic
Games. He set several Canadian records
during his decade-long career
in athletics.

EVENT TO-DO LIST VSiPPdiogeplnaocgoayrregnarepRhMeeargcihsitnreation

RMeacyrouri tInVvoiltuensteer s

T H E P L AY- BY- P L AY

EVENT
TEAM

“I really enjoy playing in the new Emcee: Joe Millage
sledge hockey league. It truly
supports ParaSport Ontario’s Executive Producer: Jeff Tiessen
position that ‘There is a sport
for everyBody!’ It has given me Event Coordinator: Kevin Waters
an opportunity to try something
different, make new friends, and Graphic Designers: Starr Hansen
have fun with ‘everyBody’.” and Christina Picton

– Joan League Consultants: Chris Garner,
Team St. Catharines Joe Picton, Kevin Rempel, Paul Rylett
and Nancy Sutton

Photographer: Luke Edwards

Project Manager: Emily Blackborow

Venue Coordinator: Jay Tredway

Videographer: Michael Wilson

Volunteer Coordinator: Maryann
Macharia

Gi f t Tab le CPPhPhoeoldcatikoyug-mSrbatyaap-nhgPederlaSCyayrsAptneentmso unce r

Guest Invi tations ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021 49
Media Materials

SPECIAL “Recreational sledge hockey is hard to find
GUESTS in Ontario, which is why we believe that the
opportunity for players to play amongst
BCFaMEGrNrOaaHrCaa,yJnyaMat2oreJikMrrno0reafWNerOa2nfoynPRyCt3di2aTforJcPWtnoxiMlaFriWoBCakgPiRSbPmonaraVaeeeahtadfiFnyoll.TlSlrlrtpoGtSaalaelalCiaeurarndinnrlyetanoryIiavodeocmmttJnfSiheevSeuospSaeeumeHkbirrtamnni.yopnnCcmsdse&ktazseaetiCrrhyktGBaTCraCeihmnaBaemerrsisotaiedscaster their peers in their own region is invaluable

50 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021 to the sledge hockey community. The
intention for the program is sustain-
ability, year-to-year – not one-and-done.

Opportunities for inclusive sport for
people with disabilities are still too
far and few between. But the new

sledge hockey league in Niagara
is a big step forward.”

– Kevin Waters
Program and Events

Coordinator,
ParaSport Ontario

TH••A•B•C•CN•rG•Ka•ahNKRanenNâiraovadtirYidaecgenBkgOiataaRtwluarvnURaeraddamPiy2lFeeaI0pVscOyr2eeiaCn2RlDlyeShComyYalegaarOpdsmrndigUacesedCsRaHoDoSmcuOmkmeNiytmAteEeTexrIpOGeNarimeSnecse