Ottawa, ON (May 26, 2023) – This summer marks the return of Boccia Canada’s Take the Shot program (Paris Edition). Through this program, Canadians can send post cards to Team Canada athletes, try boccia at community events, meet boccia Athlete Ambassadors or receive support to start a new boccia program. In 2021, the program was adapted for virtual delivery. Hundreds of students across Canada had the opportunity to virtually meet a Boccia Canada Ambassador and learn more about boccia and the Paralympic Games in the lead up to the Tokyo Paralympics. Boccia Canada is bringing back the program this year in the lead up to the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Take the Shot (Paris Edition) hopes to increase participation across the country through various activations. 
 
The program includes four components: Postcards to Paris, “try it” events, ambassador presentations, and start up grants for new boccia clubs or programs. For “Postcards to Paris” Canadians will be able show their support for Team Canada athletes vying for a spot at the 2024 Paralympic Games by writing digital or hard copy postcards that will be delivered to the athletes pre-Games. There will be support for provinces and clubs to deliver “try it” events for potential athletes to test out the sport in communities across the country. Free presentations to schools from some of Boccia Canada’s talented athletes will help spread knowledge about the sport and increase community involvement. Finally, providing start-up grants gives an opportunity for new boccia clubs or programs to be incepted. 
 
“Boccia is truly a sport that anyone can play, and we know that many people aren’t aware of it yet. We’re thrilled to be delivering this program again so that more people can, well…take the shot, and join our remarkable community. There’s a place for everyone in boccia and we can’t wait to share our sport with Canadians from coast to coast to coast,” says Boccia Canada Program Manager, Jennifer Larson. 
 
Two-time Paralympian Alison Levine (Montréal, QC) explained, “I was so touched and had such a huge smile on my face when I received the postcards and letters [before the Tokyo Paralympics]. It was a reminder to me that my country was behind me and that I should be proud of what I’ve accomplished thus far.” 
 
Levine was also one of five athlete ambassadors who delivered presentations virtually to schools in Canada along with Lance Cryderman (Sudbury, ON), Tammy McLeod (London, ON), Éric Bussière (Verchères, QC), and Marylou Martineau (Québec City, QC). 
 
McLeod, too, felt “honored to be a part of the Take The Shot Tokyo Campaign as an Athlete Ambassador. Sharing my Paralympic journey with all the kids was uplifting. The kids were so excited to meet me and learn about boccia and the Paralympic Games. The best part was when I took out my 2015 Parapan Games Bronze medal. Their eyes lit up like bright light bulbs. My only hope is that my story inspired them to keep following their dreams and taught them that anything is possible.”
 
Find out more about Take the Shot (Paris Edition) here. 

Request a school presentation 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 leads, develops and grows boccia from grassroots to producing World Champions, and we collaborate with partners to increase participation of Canadians with physical disabilities in sport. 

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.