CALGARY – The third ParaTough Cup fuelled by Petro-Canada™ of the 2023-24 season attracted 12 teams from nine organisations. The event raised $85,000 for the Paralympic Foundation of Canada’s IGNITE Campaign with funds going towards Para sport at all levels.
The event also brings hand-on awareness to PFC and CPC sponsors on the challenges of being involved in Para sport, both by trying the sports and meeting the athletes.
‘’All the money will go towards our IGNITE campaign to help ignite change through sport,’’ said Dean Brokop, the Paralympic Foundation of Canada’s executive director. ‘’The realization of how hard Para sport is and how fun it is had our participants leave here with smiles on their faces and with a renewed view of Para sport.’’
Each team, which committed at least $5,000 to enter, battled for the ParaTough Cup title by competing in three Para sports: sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball and Para ice hockey. Additional points were awarded for fundraising.
ParaTough Cup fuelled by Petro-Canada™ is the primary fundraiser for the PFC, the philanthropic arm of the Canadian Paralympic Committee.
Petro Canada had four entries and its Team Machine squad won the event with EllisDon second and Borden Ladner Gervais LLP third.
"I've been a supporter of our FACE program that supports Canadian athletes, so it was great to hear from some of the Paralympians here today, some who were FACE recipients themselves, and learning more about their stories,’’ said Chasity Cyr of the winning team.
"I think everyone who participates leaves with a lot of respect for the amount of talent and hard work that our Paralympians display."
Other participants were Toyota, CSI Calgary sponsored by Pfizer, Canadian Tire, Sobey’s, Fasken, and RBC
Thursday's event was emceed by Paralympic Games Para alpine skiing gold medallist Josh Dueck, a number of Para athletes were on hand to help with the sport challenges and meet with the teams.
They were Para ice hockey player Chris Cedarstrand, Para swimmer Morgan Bird, wheelchair basketball player Chad Jassman, long jumper Noah Vuscics, sitting volleyball player Jason Beaman and Para cyclist Mike Sametz
‘’I see the benefits of the ParaTough Cup year after year,’’ said Bird, a three-time Paralympian. ‘’I’m passionate about how the Paralympic movement will have a huge impact on the next generation of athletes and how the Paralympics will look like.’’
The participants not only competed but learned more about the Para sport world through a fireside chat hosted by Dueck with the athletes as guests.
The last ParaTough Cup ™ of the 2023-24 season takes place in Toronto on March 21, presented by Canadian Tire.
For more information, please visit ParaToughCup.ca.
