Canada’s first wheelchair basketball teams to compete at the Commonwealth Games have been named on Friday by Commonwealth Sport Canada and Wheelchair Basketball Canada.
While the traditional 5×5 basketball has been a part of the Melbourne 2006 and in Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, the fast-paced 3×3 format is making its debut in 2022’s edition in both able-bodied and wheelchair basketball disciplines.
Four-time Paralympian and captain Bo Hedges of Wonowon, B.C., highlights the men’s side. The veteran will be joined by Colin Higgins of Rothesay, N.B., Regina’s Garrett Ostepchuk Regina and Quebec City’s Vincent Dallaire.
Kady Dandeneau of Pender Island, B.C., Élodie Tessier of Saint-Germain de Grantham, Que., Tamara Steeves of Mississauga, Ont., and captain Tara Llanes of North Vancouver, B.C., will represent the women’s team.
“It will be the first time wheelchair basketball is played at the Games, so it’s pretty neat to be part of the first Canadian wheelchair basketball team to play in a Commonwealth Games,” said Hedges.
“I’ve never participated in a 3-on-3 tournament before, and I think being part of a Games with stand-up basketball and being really integrated where there is a stand-up game followed by a wheelchair game, to me, that is really cool,” said Tokyo 2020 Paralympian Llanes.
“I’m excited to be able to watch that and have them watch us.”
Both Canadian teams have recently qualified to the worlds in Dubai after claiming medals at the Americas Cup tournament in July in the tradition 5×5 format.
The Canadian women took down the U.S. for gold while the men’s team defeated hosts Brazil for bronze.
The wheelchair basketball tournament will take place from July 29 to August 2, while the Commonwealth Games are set for July 28 to August 8.
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