Mélanie
Labelle

In May 2026, wheelchair rugby athlete and advocate Mélanie Labelle was named the first-ever recipient of the Prix Parasports Québec at the Gala Femmes d’influence en sport (Women of Influence in Sport) in Quebec.

That same month she was one of the athlete ambassadors at the Défi Sportif Altergo, Canada’s largest multi sport event for people with a disability. At the Défi she competed at the inaugural women’s wheelchair rugby Canadian champpionships. She hopes to be on the team for the inaugural world championships in December 2026.

Labelle discovered wheelchair rugby during rehabilitation in 2016 and quickly emerged as one of Canada’s top athletes in the sport. Her dedication and work ethic earned her a spot on the national team in 2019, one of the few women ever to make the squad.

Beyond competition, Labelle has helped advance opportunities for women in wheelchair rugby as volunteer lead of the national women’s program and has been a strong voice for Paralympic athletes.

In 2019, Labelle’s strong performances on the court would draw the attention of Team Canada’s coaching staff and she would be selected as a member of the National Team Program, the only woman on the national team. She helped Canada to silver at the Parapan American Games. Without a doubt, an incredible achievement for someone who, at that point, had only been playing the sport for three years.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2019 Parapan American Games…

PERSONAL

One of the ambassadors for the 2020 and 2026 AlterGo Défi Sportif …. Was a competitive acrobatic swing dancer and broke her neck while performing an aerial move, losing the use of her legs and hands, and partial use of her arms.

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

• 2019 Parapan American Games 2nd