Supporting the 2014 Canada Cup International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament

RICHMOND, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - June 21, 2014) - Department of Canadian Heritage

The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors) and Member of Parliament (Richmond), today announced $50,000 in funding from the Government of Canada for the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association. This funding, provided through Sport Canada's Hosting Program, supports the hosting of this week's 2014 Canada Cup International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament. Minister of State Wong made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport).

The event was held at the Richmond Olympic Oval in Richmond from June 19 to 21, 2014.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada contributed more than $1.3 million to the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association in 2013-2014 through Sport Canada's Sport Support Program.
• In 2013-2014, Sport Canada's Athlete Assistance Program supported 19 wheelchair rugby athletes with living, training, tuition, and special needs expenses.
• The Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association is the national governing body for wheelchair rugby.
• Wheelchair rugby was invented in 1976 in Winnipeg by a group of quadriplegic athletes. It is a team sport for male and female athletes with a mobility-related disability in at least three limbs.

Quotes

"Hosting international sport events in Canada is of great benefit to our athletes. The 2014 Canada Cup International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament provides Canadian athletes with an opportunity to compete against top international teams and to show their talent to a hometown crowd. We are proud to support the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association in hosting this event."

-The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport)

"It is always exciting to have top-calibre international sport competitions in Canada, and I am thrilled to see this event taking place at the Richmond Olympic Oval, a legacy facility of the Vancouver 2010 Games. Thank you to all of the athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and fans who have made this tournament truly memorable."

-The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors) and Member of Parliament (Richmond)

"We are so grateful for the support that the Government of Canada provides. When we host events like Canada Cup, we not only provide Canada's elite parasport athletes with the high-quality competition they need to reach the podium at the Paralympics and World Championships, but we also demonstrate the power of athletes with a disability to the Canadian public. None of this would be possible without the Government of Canada's dedication to parasport and to this tournament."

-Gail Hamamoto, Canada Cup Event Chair

Associated Links

Sport Canada

Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association

Canada Cup International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament

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