Ottawa, ON (June 6, 2025) – The Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (CCPSA) is thrilled to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2025, marking four decades of leadership, inclusion, and sport excellence for Canadians with cerebral palsy, brain injury, and stroke with the launch of a special logo and storytelling project.
Incorporated on June 11, 1985, CCPSA has long been a catalyst for opportunity—supporting athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers in a variety of sports ranging from grassroots participation to world-class competition.
“As the parasport landscape evolved over the past forty years, the scope of CCPSA’s work evolved with it, but our commitment to helping make sport more accessible, inclusive and empowering for people with cerebral palsy, brain injury, and stroke hasn’t changed” says Jennifer Larson, Interim Executive Director. “We are excited to take this year to celebrate past stories and achievements while also looking ahead to the next forty years.”
CCPSA began as a multisport organization and over the years, has championed a wide range of sports, including athletics, cycling, seven-a-side soccer, swimming and powerlifting. One of the organizations proudest achievements is the development and growth of boccia. While some of the organization’s history has been captured in writing, many stories currently live only in memories, especially from a time when photos, videos, and digital archives were less common.
This milestone year is an opportunity to gather, preserve, and celebrate CCPSA’s history using today’s technology to help capture the full scope of CCPSA’s achievements.
“We’ve heard these stories, felt their impact, and now we’re creating space to capture them, share them more widely, and preserve them for the future,” said Holly Janna, Communications Lead and National Team Coordinator of CCPSA. “This anniversary is about honouring the people, milestones, and moments that have built the foundations of an organization centered around good people, enlightening experiences, and shared values. Engaging with the community is an objective in this next cycle and what better way to do that than to recount nostalgic moments on multiple forums.”
Throughout the year, CCPSA will showcase its history and impact through:
- Storytelling on social media featuring historic milestones, archival photos, and anecdotes
- Roundtable discussions with past and current athletes, coaches, and builders
- Never-before-seen footage being shared for the first time
- A commemorative “look back” during the 2025 Canadian Boccia Championships closing banquet and long after the year is over
The 40th anniversary is more than a look back. It’s a chance to celebrate community, amplify voices, and highlight achievements. Expect inspiring stories, heartfelt reflections, and fun throwbacks all year long. But we’ll need your help! Let’s honour 40 years of CCPSA, together.
Follow us on our Facebook page, our X page, our Instagram page, and visit www.ccpsa.ca to catch every story, photo, video, and celebration from our four decades of history. If you have a particular story you’d like to share, feel free to email hjanna@ccpsa.ca.
About the Cerebral Palsy Sports Association
We lead, develop and grow boccia from grassroots to producing World Champions, and we collaborate with partners to increase participation of Canadians with physical disabilities in sport.
Media Contact:
Holly Janna
Communications Lead and National Team Coordinator
Responsable des communications et coordinatrice de l’équipe nationale
CCPSA | ACSPC
hjanna@ccpsa.ca
514-944-5193