Wheelchair Basketball Canada has unveiled the rosters for the upcoming world championships in Ottawa, featuring both women’s and men’s teams. The women’s squad will see a mix of veteran players such as Kady Dandeneau, Melanie Hawtin, Puisand Lai, Tara Llanes, Cindy Ouellet, Tamara Steeves, Elodie Tessier, and Arinn Young, who were part of the fourth-place Paralympic team in 2024. The team also includes Elise Froese, Rosie Long, Mercy Nyakundi, and Bethany Johnson.

In the past, Canada secured a fifth-place finish at the 2022 championships, with their last podium appearance dating back to 2014 when the women clinched gold in Toronto.

On the men’s side, seven players return from both the Paralympic Games and the 2022 worlds, including Reed De’Aeth, Nik Goncin, Colin Higgins, Lee Melymick, Tyler Miller, Blaise Mutware, and Garrett Ostepchuk. They will be joined by newcomers Josh Brown, Ibrahim Odza, Kyrell Sopotyk, Lionel Tamoki, and Brandon Louie.

The Canadian men’s team, which placed sixth at the 2022 worlds, last claimed gold in 2006. The upcoming tournament, scheduled from Sept. 9-19, will play a crucial role in determining the allocation of spots for each zone at the 2028 Paralympic Games.