Rondeau has been training hard in preparation for his first international experience ever at the Cali 2022 World Boccia Challenger

Ottawa, ON (September 25, 2022) – Boccia Canada is pleased to announce the two athletes competing in the World Boccia Challenger set to be hosted in Cali, Colombia from September 26 to October 1.

Ryan Rondeau (Edmonton, AB) and Marylou Martineau (Québec City, QC) will be playing for the first time together at an international competition in BC3 pairs. Both will also compete in the individual event in their respective BC3 Male and BC3 Female divisions.

“It’s important that Ryan and I have good communication because it will be the first time we will play together. As a member of the National Team for several years now, I know how important it will be for Ryan to keep things simple, which he seems to know how to do already. Also, to make the most of the experience at his first international appearance ever!” emphasizes Martineau.

Martineau has been on the Canadian National Team for years while Rondeau is new to the Espoir Team in 2022, focussed on the development of identified athletes that have the potential to become National Team members in the future. Both these athletes performed exceedingly well at the 2021 Canadian Championships in Québec City, Québec. Rondeau came in third place while Martineau won silver ahead of stiff competition in the BC3 class nation-wide.

Rondeau has been putting in a lot of work at training to get where he is today. His results have been impressive at National competitions, and he looks to continue his success in Cali.

“We are looking to carry the momentum by doing what we’ve been doing in training. Trusting that it will allow us to be competitive on this stage. We’re expecting a high level of competition along with the new experience of playing internationally and all that comes with it.”

Martineau and Rondeau will be accompanied by their performance partners Josée Duquette (Québec City, QC) and Samantha Leger (McLennan, AB) as well as Assistant and Espoir Coach, Simon Larouche.

“For Ryan this will be his first international competition. It will be an opportunity for him to go through classification and test his competition routine including travel, stress management, and recovery. For Marylou it’s another international competition that will help her develop as an athlete. She will be in a position where she is the more experienced competitor, and this will allow her to assume a leadership and mentoring role.”

Follow the Canadian Team in Cali here.

Check out the live webcast here.

About Boccia Canada
Boccia Canada is the boccia delivery arm of the Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (CCPSA), the National Sport Organization for the Paralympic sport of boccia. Boccia Canada is focused on providing athletes and individuals of all ages and skill with the chance to play a unique Paralympic sport. CCPSA collaborates with partners to increase the participation of Canadians with cerebral palsy and related disabilities in sport and physical activity, while leading, developing and growing boccia from grassroots, to producing World and Paralympic Champions.

About boccia
Boccia is a Paralympic sport of precision and strategy similar to lawn bowling or curling, played by athletes with Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, and related disabilities. It is one of only two Paralympic sports that do not have an Olympic counterpart. Athletes compete in one of six sport classes based on their level and type of disability: BC1, BC2, BC3, BC4, BC5, and Open. For more information on boccia, visit www.bocciacanada.ca.