Funds and fun at ParaTough Cup in Montreal

MONTREAL – Leading Canadian businesses, including Gold Sponsors of the event, Pfizer Canada and Petro-Canada, squared-off last Thursday (November 16, 2018) at the ParaTough Cup for the second time at McGill University in Montreal. 

As was the case last year at the Montreal event, an impressive total of $93,000 was raised to support future Paralympic champions.

A total of 14 teams – two more than at the last Montreal event- participated in in six different Para sport challenges to test their athleticism and fitness abilities with the goal of claiming the grand prize as ParaTough Cup champions.

The six Para sports disputed at the Tomlinson Fieldhouse were wheelchair racing, blind running, wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, Para hockey target shooting and wheelchair curling.

For the record UPT Crossfit, a weight training gym in Montreal, won the event with 66 points edging defending Montreal champion Hudson’s Bay Canada in second with 60. Canadian Tire took third spot with 58 points.

‘’It was just a wonderful day for us to come and support the Paralympic Foundation of Canada,’’ said Marc Maillet, UPT Crossfit’s owner. ‘’We are a business that encourages people to be healthy and go to their limits. Paralympic athletes are an example of never giving up and pushing really hard in everything they do. We match well.’’

Josh Perrault, a sales director with Pfizer Canada, enjoyed the opportunity for a unique team building event with his co-workers.

‘’To put ourselves in the positions of Paralympic athletes was fantastic and I highly recommend this event to other companies,’’ he said. ‘’It really promotes team spirit and it’s wonderful to work together in this element.’’

Philippe Lavigne of Petro-Canada said his team thrived with these new experiences.

‘’We learned a lot about Paralympic sport and it is certainly not easy. I think our team developed a whole new level of respect for Para athletes and Para sports,’’ he said. ‘’I was really blown away with the guide running event. Whether you’re the runner or the guide it is very challenging.’’

Proceeds will go towards the Paralympic Foundation of Canada’s goal of ensuring that the programs, equipment and people are in place to propel more Canadians with a disability all the way from the playground to the Paralympic podium. 
Event participants were joined and encouraged by a number of Canadian Paralympians and national team members.

Summer and winter Paralympian Cindy Ouellet and two-time Paralympic Games medallist Caroline Viau (Para alpine skiing) were the event hosts. Also on hand were national team members including Aurélie Rivard (Para swimming), Chantal Beauchesne (sitting volleyball), and Alexandre Dupont (wheelchair racing).

‘’This fundraiser helps young Canadians participate in Paralympic sport and reach their highest levels, said Ouellet, a veteran on the women’s wheelchair basketball national team who made her Games debut this past March in Para nordic skiing. 

‘’It’s wonderful for Para athletes like myself to see the enthusiasm for our sports first hand. It’s all in fun of course, but you could see the participants were committed and trying to win.’’

The next ParaTough Cup is coming up this Friday, November 23, in Vancouver.

For more information visit: http://games.paralympic.ca/foundation/paratough-cup