BC Wheelchair Basketball Society announces athletes to represent wheelchair basketball at the 2020 BC Winter Games.
February 13, 2020 (Vancouver B.C.) BC Wheelchair Basketball will be represented with six zones of athletes at the upcoming BC Winter Games. Wheelchair Basketball is an integrated sport for those with and without disability. This makes it one of the few sports that evens the playing field for everyone to get into a sports wheelchair to play together.
Since the last BC Winter Games, in Kamloops 2018, BCWBS has been working diligently to develop athletes at all levels across the province and our collaborative efforts in Northern BC, with Northern Adapted Sports Association, has resulted in Zone 7 being able to field a new team to compete in Fort St. John close to their friends and family.
“Having the BC Games in Fort St. John is a great opportunity not just for all the athletes but for the community. Residents can get out and cheer on all these aspiring young athletes and learn more about many sports,” states Bo Hedges (Wonowon, BC), Team Canada Paralympic Gold Medalist and BCWBS Board Chair. “With Wheelchair Basketball being involved in these Games it gives our sport an opportunity to show people how competitive and fast it is while hooking some new fans.”
BC Wheelchair Basketball is happy to announce our 2020 BC Games Zone Teams travelling to Fort St. John, BC:
Zone 2 – Thompson Okanagan
Lily Brook (Canoe)* Eli Dodds (Kamloops)*
Francis Laderoute (Kamloops)* Tasia Linquist (Kamloops)*
Saskia Speed (Mclure)
Coaches: Leanne Kelly (Kelowna) Ben Garrett (Abbotsford)**
Zone 3 – Fraser Valley
Leah Aukema (Langley)* Elise Froese (Abbotsford)*
Caden Hyde (Chilliwack) Keaton MacEachern (Chilliwack)*
Lachlan Sandford (Mission)* Brandon Twaites (Pitt Meadows)*
Coaches: Joel Aukema (Langley)** Matthew Norris (Langley)**
Zone 5 –Vancouver Coastal
Hamza Elburi (Richmond)* Megan Smith (Vancouver)**
Jeffer Ward (Vancouver) Paulo Guerrero (North Vancouver)*
Marakia McConchie (Pender Island)* Cayleigh Robinson (Terrace)*
Coaches: Jason Costa (Vancouver) Nic van Bakel (Pender Island)**
Zone 6 – Vancouver Island – Central Coast
Heidi Boland (Pender Island)* Kimberly Boland (Pender Island)*
Lannette Boland (Pender Island) ** Owen Goertz (Pender Island)
Carter McIssac (Courtenay)* Agasha Mutesasira (Nanaimo)*
Coaches: Simon Cass (Victoria)** Stephane Roy (Comox)
Zone 7 –North West
Sylvie Ashenhurst (Terrace)* Colton Carrita (Terrace)*
Justin Caritta (Terrace)* Malcolm Hunter (Prince George)*
Kate Schamehorn (Prince George)* Grace Schamehorn (Prince George)*
Chantel Stiles ((Prince George)
Coaches: Rob Stiles (Prince George) Jocelyn Maffin (Nanaimo)**
Zone 8 – Caribou North East
Shelby Borschawa (Prince George)* Aaron Hein (Prince George)*
Dayln Hein (Prince George) Josh Holton (Prince George)
Cadence Macinnes (Prince George)* Zachary Maurice (Prince George)
Brooke Perepeluk (Prince George)*
Coaches: Riley Stiles (Prince George) Joel Ewert (Prince George)**
* Indicates rookie BC Games Athletes **indicates past Canada Games Athletes and coaching staff
In 2018, Zone 6 took home gold, with Zone 2 winning the silver medal and Zone 8 taking home bronze. As wheelchair basketball continues to grow across BC and the country, we are proud that many of our past Canada Games alumni, coaches and players, will be joining different zone teams as rookie and mentor coaches to continue their lifelong involvement in this fast-paced fun sport.
Zone Highlights: 27 Rookie players
Zone 2 rookie, Lily Brook makes time to visit her sisters school to play wheelchair basketball. 2018 Silver Medal Team
Zone 3 through the eyes of rookie player Lachlan Sandford, click here.
Zone 5 is coached by 2 2019 Canada Games Alumni
Zone 6 has 3 sisters filling out the 6-person roster. 2018 Gold Medal Team
Zone 7 is new for 2020 BC Games. 6 rookie players on 7-person roster.
Zone 8 is coached by rookie coach, Riley Stiles. 2018 Bronze Medal Team
For the full schedule check our Facebook Page.
About BC Wheelchair Basketball Society
The BC Wheelchair Basketball Society (BCWBS) is the provincial sports’ governing body which provides support to wheelchair basketball programs throughout BC. BCWBS’s mission is to provide experiences that inspire inclusion, participation and excellence through wheelchair basketball. More info on the game and sport can be found here.
About the BC Winter Games at Fort St. John
From February 20 – 23, 2020 Fort St. John will welcome up to 1,200 athletes, 300 coaches and 200 officials to our region. It will take over 2,000 volunteers to make these games happen. Fort
St John is the northern most community where the BC Games has ever been hosted and 1984 was the last time Fort St. John hosted them. The economic impact of the 2020 Games is estimated to be approximately $1.6 million for Fort St. John and region. Events are being hosted within the City, the District of Taylor, City of Dawson Creek, and within the Peace River Regional District. Click for more information on BC Games.
