Matt
Debly

Matt Debly is a Canadian Wheelchair rugby player from Windsor, Ontario, who will make his Paralympic debut at the Paris 2024 Games. Born on November 4, 1994, Debly first encountered Wheelchair rugby after participating in Wheelchair basketball at the 2015 Canada Games. His athleticism and aggressive playing style quickly made him stand out, leading to an invitation to a wheelchair rugby prospects camp, where he became hooked on the sport’s fast pace and physicality.

Debly’s journey in wheelchair rugby began in earnest in 2017 when he joined the national team’s developmental roster. He soon advanced to Team Canada’s 2018 Canada Cup roster and made significant contributions to the team’s efforts. His international career highlights include a silver medal at the 2023 Parapan American Games and a fifth-place finish at the 2022 World Championships. At the 2022 Défi Sportif, he was recognized with the Rising Star Most Improved Player award and was named Parasport Athlete of the Year at the WESPY Awards in 2018.

Diagnosed with transverse myelitis (TM) at 16 months old, Debly has not let his disability limit his pursuit of excellence in sports. His participation in the Paris 2024 Paralympics marks a significant milestone in his career, as he aims to help Canada secure a podium finish in the highly competitive wheelchair rugby tournament​​​​​​​​​​.