Paralympic Foundation of Canada’s ParaTough Cup surpasses $3 million raised following recent Calgary stop 

CALGARY – Over $114,000 was raised last Thursday at the ParaTough Cup, the signature fundraising event of the Paralympic Foundation of Canada, which supports Para athletes at every stage – from community programs to the podium. 

The third stop of the 2025/26 ParaTough Cup season, presented by Petro-Canada and held at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex & Jim Starlight Centre, brought together 16 competitive teams for an action-packed day rooted in both competition and philanthropy. 

Participants tested themselves in Para ice hockey, wheelchair rugby, and sitting volleyball, gaining firsthand experience of the athleticism, strategy, and skill that make Para sport so compelling. With guidance from Paralympians and local Para sport leaders, teams were challenged to adapt, learn, and compete in entirely new ways. 

Paralympians also took the spotlight off the field, leading fireside chats and hands-on sport demonstrations that gave participants the chance to learn directly from their lived experiences. These moments sparked meaningful connection and learning, reminding everyone of the incredible impact sport can have on and off the field of play. 

“The ParaTough Cup is about more than competition – it’s about creating opportunities for people to experience the power of Para sport,’’ said Scott Sandison, Executive Director, Paralympic Foundation of Canada. 

‘’Seeing the energy and excitement in Calgary highlights the momentum building across Canada to support Para athletes and strengthen the Paralympic pathway.  

‘’Every event like this helps ensure more Canadians have access to sport and the opportunity to dream big, and this one on the doorstep of the upcoming 2026 Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games was particularly special.” 

On the competition floor, EllisDon claimed first place at the Calgary ParaTough Cup, while the BLG Bandits were the event’s top fundraising team, raising close to $12,000 to support Para athletes across Canada. The Bandits finished a close second to EllisDon, with ATCO EnPower securing third place. Other strong performances came from Petro-Canada (with four teams), Fasken (two teams), as well as Air Canada, Sobeys, Toyota Canada, BHE Canada, Sport Chek, RBC, and The Collective – all contributing incredible team spirit to a day celebrating Para sport. 

Now with its reputation preceding it, participating teams are taking the ParaTough Cup more seriously competitively, while remaining deeply committed to the event’s mission of fundraising for Para sport. 

‘’We’ve been planning all year for this,’’ said Stacy Britten of EllisDon. ‘’We were second last year so we’ve been looking at ways to raise more funds and which sports we should focus on. We love the camaraderie of sport and being able to do these sports with the help of these incredible Paralympians.’’ 

Thirteen Para athletes were on hand to share their experiences with participants, including Christina Picton (recently nominated to her second Paralympic Games team in Para nordic skiing), Heidi Peters (sitting volleyball), Michael Sametz (Para cycling), Meghan Mahon (goalball), Zak Madell (wheelchair rugby), Chad Jassman (wheelchair basketball), and Paralympic Games alumni Jessica Tuomela (Para swimming and Para triathlon), as well as Para alpine skiers Mac Marcoux, Josh Dueck, and Jack Leitch. Chris Cederstrand (Para ice hockey) and Jason Beaman (sitting volleyball and Para alpine) rounded out the athlete roster. 

For Heidi Peters, a member of Canada’s women’s sitting volleyball team that won historic bronze at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, this was her first ParaTough Cup event. 

‘’It’s lived up to all the hype,’’ said Peters, vice chair of the CPC’s Athlete Council. ‘’The athletes that have been here before have told me this is a great event and honestly it has been. I love watching people experience Para sport for the first time, especially sitting volleyball, and having fun doing it.’’ 

Wheelchair rugby appeared at the ParaTough Cup for only the second time, with members of the local Calgary Inferno club on hand to guide participants through the sport and share their expertise. Participants also benefited from on-site support, with members of Chris Cederstrand’s Para ice hockey program offering instruction and tips throughout the day. 

The Calgary event also marked the first introduction of the Paralympian Team Captain Model. During the ParaTough Cup, Athlete Team Captains led and supported their assigned teams by fostering enthusiasm, guiding participants between stations, and helping create a positive, engaging experience for all involved. The top two fundraising teams received a Team Captain for the day. 

Following Calgary’s incredible event, the ParaTough Cup series has now raised over $3 million in support of inclusive sport since its inaugural event in 2017. All funds raised through this season’s events will contribute to the Paralympic Foundation of Canada’s $35 million IGNITE campaign, helping to break down barriers and create more opportunities for Canadians with a disability to participate and excel in sport. 

The season’s final ParaTough Cup will take place at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto on April 30, 2026.