ParaSport Ontario Fall/Winter 2021

SLEDGE HOCKEY
SKILLS AND DRILLS

A new video series by Paralympian Kevin Rempel was
launched at Puck Drop. The Sledge Hockey Skills and Drills
video series is a 10-part set created by Rempel in partnership
with ParaSport Ontario. The series highlights preliminary skill
sets for new and advanced players alike to learn from home.
‘’Many potential athletes in the Niagara Region relayed skill
gaps as a barrier for participation,” said Niagara Sledge
Hockey League Coordinator, Kevin Waters. ”We hope that
these videos help bring some comfortability where there is
concern.’’ Some skills featured include shooting, skating,
stopping, turning, and goaltending. Visit Kevin Rempel’s
YouTube channel for the videos.

“ On behalf of Town Council
I want to thank ParaSport
Ontario for including the
Town of Grimsby in this ex-
citing venture to bring inclu-
sive sport to our commu-
nity. With your support we

have the “where can I play”
solution, with a first-of-its-
kind community sledge
hockey league right here
in Niagara.”

– Mayor Jeff Jordan
Town of Grimsby

“ This experience with the sleds was an amazing
experience. From a parent/coach perspective,
it gave us a wonderful opportunity to show
our players how much fun these athletes
[with disabilities] have… also how much
respect they need to have for just how
difficult the sport really is.”

– John Barclay
Coach, Niagara North U9

St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik and Garrett Riley

Niagara22 CEO Barry Wright
and Garrett Riley

Welland Mayor “ParaSport
Frank Campion and Ontario has
Garrett Riley come to the table
with excellence. We
had participants from eight
years old to some in their sixties in sledges at the Puck Drop
event. Some have played at a high level of sport while others have
never played a sport before. They were all so proud to be presented with
their own jersey and to have their Mayor give it to them was a real bonus!”

– Joe Millage, Past-Chair, ParaSport Ontario

52 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021

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Ontario Cerebral Palsy Sports Association

Sport and physical activity help people of all abilities
reach their full potential in life.

To support this philosophy, OCPSA, the governing body for the sport of
boccia in Ontario, has developed the Boccia Bratz program.
Boccia Bratz is an 8-session program led by trained instructors.
Teachers, coaches, volunteers or community recreation leaders
can deliver this inclusive program… training session, lesson workbook
and equipment kit included!
It’s great for therapeutic settings, summer camps, schools, municipal
programs and more!

Does the Boccia Bratz
program sound right for
you?! Visit www.ocpsa.com
for more information and
apply to get involved!

ONTARIO BLIND SPORTS
A S S O C I AT I O N

Photo courtesy of PedalHouse ASK THE EXPERT

Paul Gabay

Advocating for Adaptive Equipment
in All Fitness Facilities

An Interview with Emily Blackborow

Finding the right recreational space for individuals
with physical limitations can be a time-consuming journey
of looking for the proper equipment and gym staff for a
decent workout.

Paul Gabay, owner of Resolution Fitness, offers fitness equipment and
advice for commercial and residential settings. Gabay began his jour-
ney in the fitness industry as an equipment salesman and personal
trainer. While completing a Sport Management degree at Brock
University, he entered the fitness industry selling exercise equip-
ment as a summer job.
In 2004, Gabay became a personal trainer with Canfitpro and
later added spinning and suspension training instructor certifi-
cations to his resume. He managed new and existing clients that
required commercial equipment to operate their fitness facilities,
which included fitness studios, corporate offices, condominium
developments, police, fire and EMS locations, physio clinics, uni-
versities and schools, among others.
Based in the Greater Toronto Area, Resolution Fitness rec-
ommends traditional machines, but specializes in sourcing
adaptive and wheelchair-accessible fitness products. Gabay
was familiarized with adaptive equipment early in his career,
but his experience visiting gyms and health clubs revealed
that the equipment intended for individuals with physical
limitations was rarely being used.
In his work in the U.S., Gabay observed an extremely
different landscape within Canadian and American health
clubs. The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) require-
ments in the U.S. contributed to the adaptive equipment
he sold being put to good use. In an industry that is thriv-
ing in Canada, it was devasting for him to see the lack
of support and space available for people with physical
disabilities.

ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021 55

Invictus Active Trainer, Smart Series

Designed specifically for wheelchair users, this machine
improves fitness, balance and technique enabling you to
lose weight and achieve your fitness goals. Used in the
home, gym or clinic it is helping people worldwide.

eTrainer, Active
Passive Trainer

Providing gentle mobi-
lization and resistance
to your upper and low-
er body, the assisted
exercise helps increase
circulation and blood
flow to muscles. The
simultaneous leg and
arm exercises can acti-
vate up to 80% of your
musculature. Inde-
pendent motors allow
upper and lower limbs
to train simultaneously
or separately.

Freemotion Fusion CST Trainer

With six independent swivel pulleys that create fluid cable travel, this unit allows virtually any exercise and

movement pattern, providing cardio and strength training on one machine. The open design and versatile

movement options make it wheelchair accessible and welcoming for all fitness levels.

Through conversations, net- After identifying this gap in On- strength, and group fitness equip-
working, and conducting his own tario’s fitness industry, Gabay now ment.
research, Gabay concluded that the offers consulting services for private
majority of people with physical studios, condominiums, schools and Gabay aligns a facility’s wants with
disabilities prefer to exercise in a corporate spaces that want to cater the needs of the disability commu-
controlled and familiar environ- to clients, residents and employees nity, and presents products and ma-
ment, such as physio departments, with adaptive exercise equipment chines that anyone can roll or walk
workplaces or in their homes, needs. His catalogue of equipment up to, and achieve a full body work-
which is a sentiment most share. includes familiar and fairly-priced out. The Invictus Active Trainer, for
He sensed that mainstream health brands and equipment to sell to example, is a product designed by a
clubs and recreation centres did facilities and to individuals for their wheelchair athlete from the United
not understand Ontario’s disability homes. He has familiar products like Kingdom that Paul has successfully
population well enough to cater to treadmills, ellipticals and multi-gyms, incorporated into spin studios in the
its needs. and also offers accessible cardio, Toronto area. He always encourages
his clients to make their spin classes

56 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021

more accessible by offering the Invic- a fully accessible fitness facility. The those living with disabilities into the
tus Trainer for wheelchair users. “It Ryerson University Recreation and mainstream fitness industry.
is important that everyone has the Athletic Centre (RAC) serves as the
tools to improve their health, emo- central hub for all things wellness, Although it is easier to sell adap-
tionally and physically,” he maintains. recreation, and sport at the univer- tive exercise equipment to individ-
sity, and now includes Resolution uals looking to create a home gym,
“I hope the collection of fitness Fitness accessible equipment, like Gabay wants to focus on working
equipment on my website will the Invictus Active Trainer. “RAC’s with recreation centres and com-
enlighten people to the adaptive management team’s jaws dropped munities that are willing to commit
fitness equipment options available. when I introduced the adaptive to a space where more people can
This collection of equipment is a equipment,” he shares. “They were access equipment and be exposed to
sample of a large and diverse selec- unaware because it is just not seen in fully accessible standards. With his
tion. The key to success in fitness, mainstream fitness media.” driving message of “fitness for all,”
and life, is an open mind!” he adds. Gabay hopes to play a part in helping
Gabay works to change that improve the health and fitness habits
Recently, Resolution Fitness perception through advocacy in his of all Canadians.
worked in partnership with Flex for consulting, maintaining that facil-
Access Inc. on a Ryerson University ities need adaptive equipment to To learn more visit
project, consulting on updates to the welcome individuals and integrate www.resolutionfitness.ca.
school’s recreation centre to become

ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021 57

SPORT SPOTLIGHT

Para Taekwondo

Master
Rommel
Cabanatan
Promises
Possibilities

Photo by Archie Allison By Kevin Waters

Para taekwondo made history in
Tokyo in 2021 with its inclusion
in the Paralympics for the first
time in the sport’s existence.
This was a huge step forward
for para taekwondo, a sport
for athletes with a disability,
that Master Rommel Cabanatan
considers to still be in its infancy.
Master Cabanatan began his
taekwondo journey after im-
migrating from the Philippines
to the United States. But it was
not until he moved to Canada
in 1988, that he was given
the chance to truly excel in
the sport.

26 ParaSport Magazine | SUMMER 2021

“W e don’t say that you will be the best, but you can learn, you can participate,
and yes, opportunities will be there for you. We can certainly promise that
with confidence.”

“It was here where I became a on the program. Other classifications Cabanatan is a key contributor
National Team member,” says Master
Cabanatan, who teaches and coach- acknowledged by World Taekwondo to the abled-bodied taekwondo
es out of Variety Village in Toronto.
A taekwondo career that saw many are visual impairment (P10), intellectu- community, but it was his connection
twists and turns, Cabanatan transi-
tioned to coaching after his competi- al disability (P20), neurological impair- with Variety Village, through his work,
tive years ended which led to further
experiences in officiating, coach ment (P30), wheelchair (P50), deaf that he was able to help shape the
development, and eventually event
planning. For five years beginning (KP60) and short stature (P70). growth of para taekwondo in Ontario.
in 2012, he was the tournament
chairperson for Taekwondo Ontario Through a 30+ year career in “That relationship became part of my
and Taekwondo Canada and then ran
several international events as well. taekwondo, guidance from his for- identity, just being part of the Variety

Like taekwondo, para taekwon- mer coaches convinced Cabanatan Village community.”
do has two disciplines: Poomsae (P)
and Kyorugi (K). At the Tokyo 2020 to turn his experiences as an athlete In a sport with deep roots in culture
Paralympic Games, athletes with limb
difference or impaired passive range into an unparalleled resource for and respect, being welcomed by the
of movement (K40) were the first
classification of athletes to compete coaching and officiating. “I got para community immediately helped

onto the officiating path because improve the sport’s para programming

my coach, Grand Master Chang, and its trajectory through the initial

believed that becoming an official learning curve.

would make me a better coach,” Cabanatan reflected on how the

says Cabanatan. “By becoming culture of this particular sport may

an official, you get to know other be a reason why it steadily continues

officials and get to know yourself to become increasingly popular in

better.” Cabanatan hopes to pass the para community. “A lot of par-

those same values and respect for ents and therapists recommend mar-

the sport to his students. tial arts as a form of therapy to stress

social boundaries,

Photo courtesy Variety Ontario respect, and self-reg-
ulation,” he explains.

“The combination of

physical activity and

cultural values can be

a great combination

for an aspiring para-

athlete.”

Upon transitioning

to a para taekwon-

do-style of teaching,

Cabanatan had to dis-

cover new best prac-

tices. “When we start-

ed the actual program,

we asked ourselves,

‘do we start to classify’

or ‘do we integrate?’”

This fundamental

participation question

was answered with

ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021 59

Photo by Archie Allison new para-athletes can envision
representing their country too.
the idea of integrating athletes with are classified, are registered with
disabilities into existing taekwondo the World Taekwondo Federation. When asked about how the pan-
programs rather than leaning into And because there are no provincial demic affected his para taekwondo
the para definition of the sport. and national qualifiers, a growing program, it was refreshing to hear
number of para-athletes are com- that there were positive outcomes.
Barriers are commonplace when peting at recognized international COVID-19 brought upon the birth
starting a program but having the events to earn ranking points. “The of an online Poomsae competition,
wherewithal to overcome them is competition opportunities are which focuses on kata, which means
often a product of both design and there,” he assures. “It’s going to form. There was also an interna-
desire. “There were challenges that require some travelling, but most tional federation sanctioned World
we had to address through trial of the International Opens have Championships, which saw athletes
and error,” Cabanatan tells. “We a para division, including our very compete either by live video or
work with each athlete differently, own Canada Open. video submission.
depending on what their preferenc-
es are, or what their fears or blocks “That’s what’s exciting,” Cabana- As for how Master Cabanatan
are. We had some kids who couldn’t tan continues. “We don’t say that felt about the new form of online
tolerate the feel of the uniform or you will be the best, but you can programming, that’s somewhat of
the equipment and as soon as they learn, you can participate, and yes, a different story. “I would say it’s
put on the helmet, they got claus- opportunities will be there for you. a big 50 percent. There are some
trophobic.” We can certainly promise that with people who say yes, this improved
confidence.” my students technically and bene-
That is the type of responsible fitted their focus, but for myself, I
acknowledgement that is necessary That promise rang true with the had a hard time with it.” Cabanatan
for a program to excel... to excel by inclusion of para taekwondo at the believes in the benefit of social inter-
finding solutions to unique and of- Paralympics. “Obviously the debut in action within his class, and he prefers
ten unforeseen challenges. Program the Paralympics for para taekwondo to make personal connections with
leaders hope to be all-knowing in is a great step,” enthuses Cabana- each of his students. “It’s a deeper
their sport but as Cabanatan knows, tan as he reflects on the positive connection, which I think translates
the truth of the matter is that you prospects associated with the sport into retention of students.”
are learning each and every day receiving recognition on the world’s
as well. And so, as the expression largest stage. “The documentation It is that family experience that
goes, if you are not improving, you’re of the sport is a lot faster these resonates at Variety Village’s para
falling behind, perhaps a pertinent days; you can YouTube anything. If taekwondo program. Cabanatan
philosophy for all sport leaders. you look on YouTube you can see spoke to how some of the new
that it is truly global – there are a lot instructors in their program were
Master Cabanatan highlights the of countries involved now.” And as students of his students. Some of
immense opportunities for para- such, the ability to discover new role his students, he says, have been par-
athletes at both the recreational models through videos and com- ticipants in the program for more
and competitive levels. Those who petitions will create a future where than 20 years.
participate in para taekwondo, and
When asked what’s special about
para taekwondo at Variety Village,
Master Cabanatan couldn’t help but
smile. “Seeing the progress and how
fantastic these students are. To me,
that is what’s most enjoyable.” He
believes that everyone should ex-
plore para taekwondo just to see if
it’s a good fit. After that, Cabanatan
believes that the opportunities are
endless. “We believe in a confident
promise that you can go to a level that
you’ve never experienced before.”

60 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021

Supporting athletes
wherever their dreams
take them

We are proud to support athletes and build communities
as diverse as the clients we serve.

MNP.ca
ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021 61

FINAL WORD LIAM’S DREAM

Photo courtesy of Variety Ontario

Variety Ontario and the Royal Danish Consulate General
launched Canada’s first Volt Hockey League three years ago
at Variety Village in Toronto. Liam was one of the first young
players to sign up.
Volt Hockey is an adaptive form of hockey, played in a specially-
designed sport chair.
Joining a hockey team was a dream come true for Liam, one
that always seemed to be out of reach to him.
“It’s so fast,” said Liam when asked why he likes Volt Hockey.
His mother Jo said that Liam is used to always being one of
the slowest in his group. “But these chairs allow him to fly.
“He’s just like any other nine 9-year-old in VOLT.”

62 ParaSport Magazine | WINTER 2021

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