From Wheelchair Basketball Canada Website
(Vancouver, BC) Wheelchair Basketball Canada athletes took the crowd by storm with a captivating showcase as part of the fun-filled festivities at NBA Jam Session August 20-21, 2011 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza in Vancouver, BC.
Paralympic gold medallist and current National Team player Richard Peter joined fellow Paralympians and former Team Canada stars Shira Stanfield and Jaimie Borisoff, as well as a talented cast of local athletes, including Erik Hagreen, Anthony Purcell, Chad Palmer and former German National Team player Dirk Thalheim, to take part in a wheelchair basketball clinic and demonstration game in front of an enthusiastic crowd of basketball fans.
Paralympian Marni Abbot-Peter joined forces with court host Omar Salim on the microphone to highlight all of the action on display and the numerous accomplishments of the elite group of athletes.
Under the guidance of the high performance athletes, an excited group of spectators got the chance to sit in some sport chairs and hone their dribbling, passing and shooting skills during the clinic, before joining the athletes in some 5-on-5 games.
Janet McLachlan, one of Team Canada's greatest offensive threats, also made an appearance and offered some helpful hoops advice to the participants.
Following the clinic, the elite athletes went to work in a hard-hitting 3-on-3 wheelchair basketball demo game and fascinated the crowd with their speed and skill.
After the game, National Champion Hagreen put his sharpshooting to the test in an impromptu accuracy challenge. Shooting from his chair at half-court, Hagreen nearly dropped several baskets. Despite missing the target, he left the MC and the rest of the crowd in awe with his impressive long range shooting skills.
Local organizer Carrie Linegar and the representatives of the BC Wheelchair Basketball Society (BCWBS) played an integral role in the organization of the clinc and demo game.
Other activities throughout the weekend included an appearance by NBA legend Robert Horry and performances by Buckets Blakes of the Harlem Globetrotters, members of the Toronto Raptors Dance Pak, and The Gorilla, the official mascot of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns.
Visit Wheelchair Basketball Canada website for the full story.
Also visit our facebook page for more photos by Gerry Kripps.
