Wheelchair Basketball Canada announced that 22 athletes have been invited to attend the Canadian Men’s carding camp, March 21-25, at WBC’s National Training Centre. All 12 athletes that represented Canada at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics will be in attendance, including captains Nik Goncin (Regina, Sask.), Robert Hedges (Wonowon, B.C.), and five-time Paralympian Pat Anderson (Edmonton, Alta.).The purpose of this camp is for athletes to get assessed and awarded their cards for the year. The top Canadian athletes from the national team pool receive funding through the Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) for the season. Athletes who receive funding through AAP are known as carded athletes.“The unveiling of our carding camp roster is the first step in our preparations for the 2022 season, and we are excited to tip-off the year by welcoming 22 athletes to Toronto,” said Jeff Dunbrack, Wheelchair Basketball Canada High Performance Director. “We know our athletes are coming to camp motivated to get back to competition as we work towards qualifying for November’s World Championships.”The athletes attending carding camp are (Paralympic Games experience denoted with a *):Austin MacLellan (Fredericton, N.B.)Ben Hagkull (Chilliwack, B.C.)Blaise Mutware (Toronto, Ont.) *Chad Jassman (Calgary, Alta.) *Colin Higgins (Rothesay, N.B.) *Collin Lalonde (St-Clet, Que.)Dani Bigu (Kitchener, Ont.)Deion Green (Victoria, B.C.) *Derek Jezewsky (Fraser Lake, B.C.)Eric Voss (St. Marys, Ont.)Garrett Ostepchuk (Regina, Sask.) *Jesse Heubner (Kitchener, Ont.)Jonathan Vermette (Sherbrooke, Que.) *Josh Brown (East St. Paul, Man.)Lee Melymick (Toronto, Ont.) *Nik Goncin (Regina, Sask.) *Pat Anderson (Edmonton, Alta.) *Reed De’Aeth (Sherwood Park, Alta.)Robert Hedges (Wonowon, B.C.) *Tyler Miller (Kitchener, Ont.) *Vincent Dallaire (Quebec City, Que.) *Westley Johnston (Charlottetown, P.E.I.)Matteo Feriani (Padova, Italy) – Head CoachJoey Johnson (Winnipeg, Man.) – Assistant CoachNicolas Palmer (Laval, Que) – Assistant CoachAdditional Wheelchair Basketball Canada Support StaffBrett Nagata (Toronto, Ont.) – WBC Lead Therapist Joe Leszner (Thornhill, Ont.) – Mental Performance ConsultantColby Hathaway (Four Falls, N.B.) – Strength & Conditioning CoachLuke Vanderheyden (Hamilton, Ont.) – Physical Preparation Specialist Dylan Carter (Toronto, Ont.) – Performance Analyst Jeff Dunbrack (Halifax, N.S.) – High Performance Director Hailey Roll (Mississauga, Ont.) – High Performance Coordinator
Press release & Photo: Wheelchair Basketball Canada