Canadian Blind Sports Association (CBSA) is calling on Canadians to rally behind the Women’s National Goalball Team ahead of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games from August 28 to September 8.
The Canadian Women’s Team made international headlines last November when they secured a Paralympics bid with a thrilling victory over the U.S. in the final of the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games. As the national sport governing body for goalball in Canada, CBSA wants to ensure that the team’s momentum continues on the pathway to Paris.
“Our Women’s National Team captured the imagination of Canadians at the 2023 Parapan American Games and we have a chance to make sure they feel our support heading into the Paralympic Games,” said Launel Scott, President of the CBSA Board of Directors.
“These athletes are role models for athletes with vision impairment and they are helping to introduce a new generation to one of the most underappreciated sports in the country. Every donation, big or small, helps put them in a position to succeed.”
The six players who will represent Canada in Paris were announced by the Canadian Paralympic Committee in June. All six athletes are returnees from the Parapan Am Games champion team.
“Anytime I get to represent our country I know it is not just me out there on the court, but a nation standing behind me,” said Meghan Mahon, National Team Athlete. “Our performance will now be the thing that speaks for our hard work and we look to be a competitive force.”
Individuals and businesses are invited to donate to the CBSA through Canada Helps at canadahelps.org. Donations will help support the Canadian Women’s Team on the road to Paris and increase opportunities for future Paralympians to fall in love with goalball for years to come.
The Canadian Women’s National Goalball team (world No. 6) begins their quest for gold with the preliminary round from August 29 – September 1. Canada will compete in Pool B of the women’s tournament alongside Japan (No. 2), South Korea (No. 15), and host France (No. 18).
About Goalball
Invented in 1946 to help rehabilitate veterans of the Second World War, goalball was introduced to the Paralympics as a demonstration sport at the 1976 Games in Toronto and has been in every Paralympics since. The sport is played exclusively by athletes with vision impairment and all players must have less
than 10 per cent vision at the international level. To learn more, visit canadianblindsports.ca.
About Canadian Blind Sports Association
CBSA is the national sport governing body for goalball in Canada, and supports its provincial members in their roles as multi-sport organizations providing opportunities for all Canadians impacted by blindness to be involved in a range of sports. To learn more about Canadian Blind Sports Association, visit canadianblindsports.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Stephanie Rudnisky
Executive Director
ED@canadianblindsports.ca