ParaTough Cup enjoyed its most successful season to date in 2023/24, raising over $510,000 to support Para sport development in Canada. Organized by the Paralympic Foundation of Canada (PFC), 2023/24 brought together more than 400 participants across four events nationwide.
Participants from teams representing Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) partners, PFC donors, special invited guests, and other Canadian organizations demonstrated their commitment to the cause by raising the $5,000 fundraising entry fee to compete in the events.
Teams converged at four events across Canada, presented by a key partner – lululemon in Vancouver, Petro-Canada in Calgary, Pfizer Canada in Montreal, and Canadian Tire Corporation in Toronto, showcasing not only their athletic prowess in sports like wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, and Para ice hockey but also their dedication to helping grow inclusive sporting opportunities. Through their fundraising efforts, participants exceeded expectations by collectively raising over $510,000 for the PFC’s programs and initiatives.
Karen O'Neill, CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, praised ParaTough Cup for the transformative impact it continues to have on Para sport development, thanking the partners and organizations who help make the events a success.
“On behalf of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, we thank our tremendous partners for their generous support of ParaTough Cup,” O’Neill said. “ParaTough Cup is a pillar of our fundraising efforts, and we are incredibly thankful for our partners and the organizations across Canada who share our vision and values and are committed to supporting the Paralympic Movement in our country.”
Jim Westlake, chair of the Paralympic Foundation of Canada, highlighted the great success of the ParaTough Cup and celebrated the impact it will have on Para sport development across the nation – from community programming all the way to the Paralympic level.
“To raise over half a million dollars is an unbelievable effort from everyone involved in the ParaTough Cup,” Westlake said. “These funds will make a significant impact towards growing Para sport across Canada, including enabling more young and emerging Para athletes to access sport by assisting organizations across the nation in purchasing specialized equipment and investing in coaching.”
The Montreal ParaTough Cup event, presented by Pfizer Canada, set a new fundraising record by raising an impressive $167,000 in a single stop. Meanwhile, the Toronto ParaTough Cup event, presented by Canadian Tire Corporation, boasted the largest participation of the season, with 20 teams and 138 individuals. The introduction of a visually impaired experience at this event further enhanced inclusivity and accessibility.
Participants throughout the season represented not only CPC partners - lululemon, Pfizer Canada, Petro-Canada, Canadian Tire Corporation, Bell Canada, FASKEN, EllisDon, Sobeys Canada, General Mills, Groupe MACH, Toyota Canada, Teck and CBC - but also other organizations interested in growing Para sport in Canada - Legal Lab, Ottobock, Edison Engineers, Coastal Mountain Fuels, Will, Harper Grey LLP, BLG, Invictus, CSI Calgary, RBC, Banque Nationale and the Malaviya Foundation.
Across the season, 33 Canadian Paralympians and Para athletes offered their expertise to serve as coaches, mentors, and umpires at the events, enriching the experience for all participants. Dean Brokop, Executive Director of the Paralympic Foundation of Canada, expressed gratitude to the Para athletes, provincial Para sport organizations, and event volunteers whose contributions were vital to the success of ParaTough Cup.
“On behalf of our team, we are grateful to the 33 Para athletes who helped ensure the ParaTough Cup participants learned from some of the very best athletes in the nation,” Brokop said. “We also thank the incredible local Para sport organizations for their equipment and guidance at the events and the numerous volunteers who have donated their time to help make ParaTough Cup a success. The events could not happen without the support of these contributors, and we look forward to welcoming them at a ParaTough Cup event again in the future.”
ParaTough Cup will return for the 2024-25 season. For more information, please visit ParaToughCup.ca
