September 15, 2010 (CPC) - September 18th marks the first-ever Sports Day in Canada and the Canadian Paralympic Committee and its members are proud to invite Canadians to experience first-hand various Paralympic sports during hands-on sport demonstrations in Ottawa (ON) and Richmond (BC). With only 3% of people with disabilities physically active, this event will bring attention to the importance of sport in the lives of all Canadians, especially those with a physical disability. In partnership with many sports organizations, Canadians of all ages and abilities will have the unique opportunity to get active and join Paralympians in a wide variety of Paralympic sports while celebrating this national landmark event – Sports Day in Canada – and raising the awareness of the benefits of participating in sport.
WHERE, WHEN & HOW?
Ottawa, ON
As the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees compete against the McMaster Marauders in an exciting homecoming game, Paralympians from athletics, wheelchair basketball, sledge hockey, and many more sports will be on site, demonstrating their sports and teaching Canadians how to play!
WHERE: Lansdowne Park; 1015 Bank St, Ottawa ON, K1S 3W7
WHEN: September 18, from 12 to 4pm
COST: Group tickets are available at a rate of $4 if ordered in advance, or can be purchased on site at a rate of $4 (children) or $12 (adults). To order your tickets, contact Jessica Damery at jdamery@uottawa.ca
WHO? MEET WITH:
Sledge Hockey players, Jean Labonté, Shawn Matheson, Todd Nicholson and Hervé Lord
Nordic skiers, Alexei Novikov and Margarita Gorbounova
Athletics athletes Jacques Bouchard and Leah Robinson
Goalball player, Amy Kneebone
Boccia player, Dale Stevenson
Richmond, BC
On September 18th, the public is invited to experience boccia, goalball, para-athletics, wheelchair basketball and many other sports alongside Canada’s Paralympians!
In addition, other sport representatives will be onsite to provide instruction to Canadians of all ages and abilities to experience Paralympic sports.
WHERE: Richmond Oval; 6111 River Road, Richmond, BC V7C 0A2
WHEN: September 18, from 11am to 2pm
COST: It’s FREE!
WHO? MEET WITH:
5-time Gold medalist in alpine skiing, Lauren Woolstencroft
Athletics athlete, Andrea Holmes
Wheelchair Basketball players, Richard Peter, Marni Abbott-Peter and Robert Hedges
Wheelchair Curling players, Chris Daw and Darryl Neighbour
Boccia player, Alison Kabush
Wheelchair Tennis player, Sarah Hunter
Nordic skier, Lou Gibson
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT SPORTS DAY?
Sports Day in Canada is a national celebration of sport, from grassroots to high-performance levels, in communities across Canada. Sports Day in Canada caps off a week of thousands of local sporting events and activities, open houses and try-it days showcasing sport at all levels, and includes a special television broadcast on CBC Sports.
Sports Day in Canada is presented by CBC Sports, ParticipACTION and True Sport and is guided by a committee of national sporting organizations including the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC).
To learn more or to search for events in your community, visit www.cbc.ca/sports/sportsday/.
