Wheelchair Baskeltball Canada Event Advisory:
Richmond, BC– Canada’s top wheelchair basketball players will be at the Richmond Oval in Richmond, BC for the 2012 National Championships May 18-20, 2012. Media and spectators have the opportunity to see the skill and athleticism that make the sport one of the premium draws at the Paralympic Games.
TV/ Photo Op:
Two courts featuring a total of 25 games over three days
- Canadian Sr. National Team athletes competing in domestic competition prior to the upcoming 2012 Paralympics
- Rick Hansen to participate in medal ceremonies
- Pre- and post-game athlete/coach interviews available throughout tournament
Who:
British Columbia natives Bo Hedges and Richard Peter (Sr. Men’s National Team), Janet McLachlan and Jessica Vliegenthart (Sr. Women’s National Team), as well as Team British Columbia welcome the best wheelchair basketball players in Canada
What:
Canada’s premier provincial/club wheelchair basketball teams compete to decide a National Champion
When:
Friday, May 18 – Sunday, May 20, 2012
- Opening tip-off - Friday, May 18 at 10:00 PDT
- Championship Game – Sunday, May 20 at 12:15 PDT (Women) & Sunday, May 20 at 14:15 EDT (Men)
- Medal Ceremonies – Sunday, May 20 at approx. 16:00 PDT
Where:
Richmond Oval
6111 River Road, Richmond, BC, V7C 0A2
The tournament features elite players from across Canada, including members of the Canadian Senior Men’s and Women’s National Teams that will use this opportunity to hone their skills in advance of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Team British Columbia is the five-time defending National Champions, and will look to match a team record of six consecutive championships, originally set between 1978 and 1983. With 21 victories, Team BC is the most successful squad in the tournament’s 45-year history.
The 2012 National Championships will celebrate the theme of “Difference Makers” in honour of Rick Hansen and the 25th anniversary of the Man in Motion World Tour. The 25th Anniversary Relay will make its way to the Richmond Oval on Sunday, May 20, 2012 for a special public celebration following the championship games.
For more information visit: www.wheelchairbasketball.ca
About British Columbia Wheelchair Basketball Society
BCWBS is a non-profit organization formed in 1983 and registered with Revenue Canada as a charity since 1985. The Society provides support to wheelchair basketball programs throughout British Columbia. For more information, please visit www.bcwbs.ca.
About Wheelchair Basketball Canada
Wheelchair Basketball Canada is the national sports governing body responsible for the organization of wheelchair basketball in Canada. It is a non-profit, charitable organization that is the Canadian member to the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF).
Wheelchair basketball is a fast paced, hard-hitting, competitive sport that has emerged as one of the most competitive and athletic sports played at the Paralympic Games. Our senior national teams are held in high esteem around the world for the elite skill and control that placed them on the podium with a combined five gold and one silver medal in the last five Paralympic Games.
For more information, or to schedule an interview, contact:
Jody Kingsbury, Manager
Communications & Media Relations
Wheelchair Basketball Canada
T: 613-260-1296 ext. 204
C: 613-851-2337
jkingsbury@wheelchairbasketball.ca
Courtney Pollock, Coordinator
Communications & Media Relations
Wheelchair Basketball Canada
T: 613-260-1296 ext. 200
C: 613-291-6721 cpollock@wheelchairbasketball.ca
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