Parasport programs across Canada receive funding for adapted sport equipment

Canadian Paralympic Committee, Petro-Canada and Sport Canada Provide Additional Funding Through Para-Equipment Fund

OTTAWA, June 22, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) has selected the 42 recipients of the 2012-13 Para-Equipment Fund, presented by Petro-Canada, a Suncor Energy business, and supported by Sport Canada.

A total of 33 sport organizations representing numerous parasports and regions across Canada received a total of $136,236 from the Para-Equipment Fund. Due to the matching nature of the Fund by the recipient, a total of $272,472 was invested into the parasport system.

"We are thrilled to be part of a program that helps to make adapted equipment more available to meet the needs of communities across the country," said Steven Keith, Director of Brand Loyalty and Marketing Partnerships at Suncor Energy. "Grassroots parasport programs are so important because they provide an opportunity for people with a disability to become part of a vibrant sport community."

The Para-Equipment Fund matches up to $5,000 to sport organizations that have a national, provincial or local parasport program which requires adapted sports equipment. This approach ensures a partnership approach to the development of a sustainable parasport system throughout Canada. Among the clubs which will benefit from the Fund is the Pemberton Canoe Association in British Columbia.

"Para-canoe will be a brand new event at the Paralympics in Rio in 2016," said Hugh Fisher, Director of the Pemberton Canoe Association. "In Pemberton, we have a great accessible venue, excellent safe water, coaching, and now thanks to the Para-Equipment Fund, the right dedicated equipment for para-athletes."

Demand for adapted sport equipment is growing every year. In 2011-2012, more than $233,000 was invested across the country. This year, the CPC increased the available funding by approximately $40,000 to meet the response from the community.

"The Government of Canada is committed to promoting and encouraging barrier-free sport participation and active living among people of all ages and abilities," said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). "We are proud to support the Para-Equipment Fund, which helps to promote the active engagement of persons with a disability in the Canadian sport system."

Please visit www.paralympic.ca/funding for more information.

2012-13 Para-Equipment Fund Recipients

Organization Name	Sport(s)	City	Province
Acadia Minor Hockey Association	Sledge Hockey	Wolfville	Nova Scotia
Adaptavie Inc	Sledge Hockey	Québec	Québec
Association Québécoise des Sports en Fauteuil Roulant	Sledge Hockey	Montreal	Québec
Argonaut Rowing Club	Para-Rowing	Toronto	Ontario
Athletics Nova Scotia	Para-Athletics	Halifax	Nova Scotia
Avalon Sledge Hockey Association Inc.	Sledge Hockey	Whitbourne	Newfoundland & Labrador
Banook Canoe Club	Para-Canoe	Dartmouth	Nova Scotia
BC Wheelchair Basketball Society	Wheelchair Basketball	Vancouver	British Columbia
BC Wheelchair Sports Association	Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Tennis, Wheelchair Rugby, Para-Athletics	Vancouver	British Columbia
Blind Sports Nova Scotia	Para-Cycling	Halifax	Nova Scotia
Brock Niagara Penguins	Wheelchair Basketball	St. Catharines	Ontario
Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta)	Para-Cycling	Edmonton	Alberta
City of Surrey	Boccia	Surrey	British Columbia
Club Saint-Laurent Select Inc.	Para-Athletics	Montreal	Québec
Cobourg Dragon Boat and Canoe Club	Para-Canoe	Cobourg	Ontario
Défi sportif AlterGo	Wheelchair Basketball, Sledge Hockey	Montréal	Québec
Disabled Skiers Association of BC	Para-Alpine	Vancouver	British Columbia
Edmonton Rowing Club	Para-Rowing	Edmonton	Alberta
Fondation des skieurs handicapes du Quebec (FSHQ)	Para-Alpine	Beaupre	Quebec
Halifax Rowing Club	Para-Rowing	Halifax	Nova Scotia
Hockey North	Sledge Hockey	Hay River	Northwest Territories
Island Lake Rowing Club	Para-Rowing	Alton	Ontario
Kitchener-Waterloo Sidewinders	Sledge Hockey	Kitchener- Waterloo	Ontario
London and District wheelchair sports association	Wheelchair Rugby	London	Ontario
National Cycling Centre-Canadian Sport Centre Calgary	Para-Cycling	Calgary	Alberta
No Limits Adaptive Ski Club	Para-Alpine	Sault Ste. Marie	Ontario
Nordic Racers Ski Club	Para-Nordic	Vancouver	British Columbia
Northumberland Strait Shooters Archery Club	Para-Archery	Westville	Nova Scotia
Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence Society	Para-Rowing	Victoria	British Columbia
Pemberton Canoe Association	Para-Canoe	Pemberton	British Columbia
Powell River Disability Sport Club	Sledge Hockey	Powell River	British Columbia
RA Centre (Ottawa)	Wheelchair Curling	Ottawa	Ontario
Saskatchewan Rowing Association	Para-Rowing	Saskatoon	Saskatchewan
SportAbility	Para-Cycling, Power Soccer	Surrey	British Columbia
Tbo Tbon	Wheelchair Rugby	Montreal	Quebec
Tennis New Brunswick	Wheelchair Tennis	Fredericton	New Brunswick
Town of Hay River	Sledge Hockey	Hay River	Northwest Territories
Vancouver Wheelchair Rugby Club	Wheelchair Rugby	Vancouver	British Columbia
Victoria Wheelchair Sports Club	Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Tennis, Wheelchair Rugby	Victoria	British Columbia
WC Race Series Society	Para-Athletics	Richmond	British Columbia
Wheelchair Sports Alberta Association	Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Tennis, Wheelchair Rugby	Edmonton	Alberta
Won with One	Para-Triathlon	Ottawa	Ontario

About the Para-Equipment Fund (PEF)

The Para-Equipment Fund was launched in 2005 by the Canadian Paralympic Commitee with the help of the federal government and Petro-Canada, a Suncor Energy business. Grants are awarded to cover 50 per cent of the total cost of the equipment up to a maximum of $5,000. The applicant is responsible for covering the other 50 per cent of the equipment costs.

About Suncor Energy

Suncor Energy Inc. is Canada's premier integrated energy company. Suncor's operations include oil sands development and upgrading, conventional and offshore oil and gas production, petroleum refining, and product marketing under the Petro-Canada brand. While working to responsibly develop petroleum resources, Suncor is also developing a growing renewable energy portfolio. Suncor's common shares (symbol: SU) are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges. For more information about Suncor Energy Inc., please visit www.suncor.com.

About Sport Canada's Sport Support Program

The Sport Support Program provides National and Multi-Sport Organizations with financial assistance they need to develop Canada's amateur sport system and to achieve world class athletic results. This financial support strengthens our national sport system and benefits our athletes and coaches. For more information, please visit www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1267385942671.

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee

The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 46 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic movement. The Canadian Paralympic Committee's vision is to be the world's leading Paralympic nation. Its mission is to lead the development of a sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games. By supporting Canadian Paralympic athletes and promoting their success, the Canadian Paralympic Committee inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organizations. For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca.

 

Alison Korn
Manager, Media Relations
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Tel: [phone] ext. 243
Cell: 613-298-4927
[email protected]

Laura Ferris
Coordinator, Recruitment Program Support
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Tel: [phone] x233
[email protected]

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