Six individuals from BC Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair Sports family were honoured last weekend for their contributions to wheelchair sports across Canada at CWSA Awards Night.
Please see the press release from CWSA.
Congratulations Michelle, Marni, Nancy, James, Peter, and Kathy!!!!!
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(Winnipeg, MB) – Top athletes, coaches and builders were honoured this week for their contributions to wheelchair sports across Canada at the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association Awards Night. Representatives from wheelchair sports organizations across the country gathered Sunday night in Winnipeg to pay tribute to the many exceptional individuals who have impacted the wheelchair sports community this year.
“This year’s award winners once again showcase the strong performances of Canada’s wheelchair athletes and the excellence and commitment of our volunteers and staff,” said Executive Director Cathy Cadieux. “It was especially rewarding to recognize Kathy Newman for 30 years of outstanding contributions to wheelchair sports in Canada.”
While British Columbia was heavily represented, the nominees represent the range of talents that exist in the wheelchair sports community. This year’s winners are:
Female Athlete of the Year – Michelle Stilwell (Parksville, BC).
Despite undergoing major spinal surgery, Michelle won three gold medals and one silver medal at the IPC Para-Athletics World Championships and bested her own World Record in the 200m.
Male Athlete of the Year – Joel Dembe (Toronto, Ontario).
Joel Dembe became the #1 ranked men’s singles wheelchair tennis player in Canada this year, and has significantly climbed the international rankings defeating several higher ranked players along the way. He won three international singles events, and closed the season winning the National Championships in both singles and doubles.
Doug Grant Memorial Award for Team of the Year – The Ontario Thunder and Ontario Lightning.
The Ontario Thunder and Ontario Lightning wheelchair rugby teams made a clean sweep at the 2011 Coloplast Canadian Wheelchair Rugby National Championships in both Division 1 and Division 2 and dominated at competitions both domestic and international all season.
Rick Hansen Award – Marni Abbott-Peter (Vancouver, BC).
In addition to being one of the most recognized Paralympians in Canada, Marni has recently become involved in elite coaching, serving as the assistant coach for Team Canada at the 2011 U25 Women’s World Wheelchair Basketball Championships and the 2011 Para-Pan American Games.
Dr. R.W. Jackson Memorial Award – Nancy Harris (Prince George, BC).
Nancy Harris has been instrumental in bringing wheelchair sports to Northern BC through her involvement in the Let’s Play program and the Prince George wheelchair basketball program. She has also lobbied the provincial government to ensure that children with physical disabilities have equal access to sports and recreation.
Stephan Dubuc Memorial Award for Coach of the Year – Peter Lawless (Victoria, BC).
Peter Lawless coached Michelle Stilwell to her impressive three gold and one silver medal at the 2011 IPC Para-Athletics World Championships and brought the sport of handcycling to Victoria.
Stan Stronge Award – James Hustvedt (North Vancouver, BC)
James Hustvedt balances his career as a wheelchair racer with his exceptional mentorship to others. As a provincial wheelchair athletics coach, he has gone above and beyond his duties to ensure that all wheelchair athletes have the tools needed to succeed in sport.
Volunteer of the Year – Kathy Ludwig (Brampton, ON)
Kathy Ludwig was involved in wheelchair basketball at all levels from local, grassroots programs to the National Team, and the International competition level. Her involvement included coaching provincial teams, managing a national team, sport promotion and development projects, and both media and publicity campaigns.
Kathy Newman, from Langley, BC, was also honoured for her 30 years of service to wheelchair sports in Canada. Since 1981, Kathy has worked to transform the BC Wheelchair Sports Association into a world leader in wheelchair sports. This was seen most recently when BCWSA hosted the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships, which set records in attendance, merchandise sales, and webcasting.
For more information or to schedule a media interview, please contact:
Don Lane, Program Manager
Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association
Tel: 613.523.0004
E-mail: dlane@cwsa.ca
