Media Advisory - Toronto to Welcome Top Panamerican Teams for 2015 Americas Wheelchair Basketball Challenge March 22-26

OTTAWA, March 20, 2015 /CNW/ - Media are invited to experience the sound of clashing metal, the smell of burning rubber, and the sweet taste of victory that will bring the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto to life when the top wheelchair basketball athletes in the western hemisphere arrive for the 2015 Americas Wheelchair Basketball Challenge.

Canada is the defending Paralympic gold medalist and remains hungry to reclaim their status as the #1 team in the world.

Due to Colombia withdrawing from the tournament, there has been a change to the competition schedule for the 2015 Americas Wheelchair Basketball Challenge taking place at the Mattamy Athletic Centre March 22-26th.

Team Canada will now play five games against their Americas zone rivals from Argentina, Brazil, and the USA in the friendly warm-up tournament that offers a sneak peak at the top competitors gearing up for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan Am Games (Canada's updated schedule listed below).

TV/Photo Op:	Catch a glimpse of the sheer athleticism, speed, and intensity of the wheelchair basketball players that will star in the Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games
Who:	Panamerican rivals Argentina, Brazil, and USA vs. Canadian Men's Wheelchair Basketball Team (Paralympic Games experience denoted with a *):
	- #4 Deion Green (Victoria, B.C.)	- #10 Abdi Dini (Scarborough, Ont.)*
	- #5 Liam Hickey (St. John's, N.L.)	- #11 Chad Jassman (Calgary, Alta.)*
	- #6 Bo Hedges (Wonowon, B.C.)*	- #12 Nik Goncin (Regina, Sask.)
	- #7 Vincent Dallaire (Quebec, Que.)	- #13 Jonathan Vermette (Sherbrooke, Que.)
	- #8 Peter Won (Sylvan Lake, Alta.)	- #14 Tyler Miller (Kitchener, Ont.)*
	- #9 Adam Lancia (Scarborough, Ont.)* Head Coach: Jerry Tonello (Toronto, Ont.)	- #15 David Eng (Montreal, Que.)*
What:	2015 Americas Wheelchair Basketball Challenge
When:	Canada vs. Brazil Sunday March 22 at 8:30p.m. ET
	Canada vs. Argentina Monday March 23 at 8:30 p.m. ET
	Canada open practice: Tuesday March 24, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET
	Canada vs. Brazil Tuesday March 24 at 8:30 p.m. ET
	Canada vs. Argentina Wednesday March 25 at 6:15 p.m. ET
	Feature Game: Canada vs USA Thursday March 26 at 6:15 p.m. ET
Where:	Mattamy Athletic Centre
	50 Carlton Street, Toronto, Ont. M5B 1J2

Interviews with Team Canada athletes and coaches can be scheduled by contacting: Jody Kingsbury at 613-851-2337 or [email protected].

The 2015 Americas Wheelchair Basketball Challenge is the first major test for the Canadian Men's National Team that must finish amongst the top two teams at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games in August in order to qualify for the 2016 Paralympic Games.

About Team Canada

The Senior Men's National Team went undefeated at the London 2012 Paralympics to capture their third gold medal in four Paralympic Games. It is the latest accomplishment in a sport dynasty that has placed them on the podium at four consecutive Paralympics and at five of the last six world championships.

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 that is committed to excellence in the development, support and promotion of wheelchair basketball programs and services for all Canadians from grassroots to high performance. Wheelchair basketball is a fast-paced, hard-hitting, competitive sport in which Canada is held in high esteem around the world for winning a combined six gold, one silver, and one bronze medal in the last six Paralympic Games.

For more information, visit: www.wheelchairbasketball.ca

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SOURCE Wheelchair Basketball Canada

For more information, to request a photo, or to schedule an interview contact: Jody Kingsbury, Manager, Communications & Media Relations, Wheelchair Basketball Canada, Cell: 613-851-2337, [email protected]; Courtney Pollock, Coordinator, Communications & Media Relations, Wheelchair Basketball Canada, Office: 613-260-1296 ext. 203, [email protected]