(TORONTO, Ont.) The top women’s Wheelchair Basketball players in Canada will descend on the Richmond Olympic Oval from April 8-10 in pursuit of the national title. Some of Canada’s top Paralympians will battle for the national championship crown, while the festival will also include a 3-on-3 recreational competition for the first time in tournament history.
 
Media and fans are welcome to come experience the speed and skill that makes wheelchair basketball a fan favourite and one of the most popular adaptive sports in the world. The competition begins at 10:00 AM PT on Friday, April 8, and concludes with the gold medal game starting at Noon on Sunday, April 10. 
 
Paralympians Kady Dandeneau and Tara Llanes and the rest of team BC will welcome the defending champions in team Quebec and a team featuring the top female athletes from Ontario, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
 
The tournament will feature over 50 athletes, including current and future Canadian Women’s National Team stars. The competition is also inclusive, as athletes with a disability and able-bodied athletes compete together on a level playing field. 
 
The weekend festival will include a girls and womens-only Have-A-Go session on Saturday, April 9th, where skills, drills, and scrimmages will be coached between games. Participants are welcome to stay to cheer on the competitive teams. To register for this session, click here.
 
The event is governed by Wheelchair Basketball Canada (WBC) and presented by the BC Wheelchair Basketball Society (BCWBS).
 
For more information, please visit our website at www.wheelchairbasketball.ca.
 
WHAT: 2022 Women’s National Championship Festival
  
WHO: Paralympians Tara Llanes (North Vancouver) and Kady Dandeneau (Pender Island) and the rest of team BC welcomes the top women’s players in Canada in a quest for the national championship title.
  
WHEN: April 8-10, 2022 – Opening tip-off at 10:00 AM PT on April 8 | Championship final at Noon PT on April 10.
 
WHERE: Richmond Olympic Oval – 6111 River Rd, Richmond, BC V7C 0A2
 
Those attending are asked to wear a mask while at the Oval and may be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination as per the facility protocol. 
 
About BC Wheelchair Basketball Society
The BC Wheelchair Basketball Society (BCWBS) is the provincial sports’ governing body which provides support to wheelchair basketball programs throughout BC. BCWBS’s mission is to provide experiences that inspire inclusion, participation, and excellence through wheelchair basketball.
 
About Wheelchair Basketball Canada
Wheelchair Basketball Canada is the national sports governing body responsible for the organization of the sport in Canada. It is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to excellence in developing, supporting, and promoting wheelchair basketball programs and services from grassroots to high performance for all Canadians. Wheelchair basketball is a fast-paced, hard-hitting, competitive sport in which Canada is held in high esteem worldwide for winning a combined six gold, one silver, and one bronze medal in the last seven Paralympic Games. For more information, please visit wheelchairbasketball.ca.

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Media wishing to attend the 2022 Women’s National Championship Festival or arrange interviews should contact:
 
Dhiren Mahiban
Communications & Digital Media Manager
Wheelchair Basketball Canada
C: 416-574-6682
dmahiban@wheelchairbasketball.ca
 
Michelle Comeau 
Communications Manager 
BC Wheelchair Basketball Society
M: 403-512-7671
michellercomeau@gmail.com