ParaTough Cup returning to Calgary this month in support of Paralympic sport

Event to be hosted on February 20 at Repsol Sport Centre
ParaTough Cup participants compete in sitting volleyball.

ParaTough Cup fuelled by Petro-Canada™ is making its return to Calgary this month, as the flagship fundraising event of the Paralympic Foundation of Canada prepares to give participants the unique chance to test out their Para sport skills while raising funds to grow the opportunities available to people with a disability at the same time. 

Set for February 20 at the Repsol Sport Centre, ParaTough Cup features teams of six people competing in Paralympic-inspired challenges like wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, and Para ice hockey. Teams entered in the event have committed to raise at least $5,000 to participate, and they earn points for both their sport performance and fundraising might. New for this year, title sponsor Petro-Canada will be matching fundraising dollars up to $10,000 and giving participants the chance to win free gas for a year. 

Rio 2016 sitting volleyball player Shacarra Orr, who is also set to be an athlete ambassador for the Canadian team at the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, will act as a co-emcee of the event. She will be joined by other local Paralympians and Para athletes, such as Rio 2016 javelin silver medallist Alister McQueen as well as Para ice hockey national team member Cody Dolan and head coach Ken Babey. 

“I am so excited to be part of ParaTough Cup and can’t wait to spend time with all of the participants and show them just how wonderful Para sport really is,” said Orr, also a bronze medallist at the Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games. “ParaTough Cup is such an important initiative to not only raise much-needed dollars to support athletes with a disability, but also to increase the awareness about Para sport, the opportunities out there, and what it takes to be a top athlete.” 

ParaTough Cup made its debut in Calgary last year and raised $77,000 towards supporting the development of Para sport in Canada. Calgary is the third event of the 2019-20 season, with stops in Montreal and Vancouver last fall bringing in over $171,000. 

“ParaTough Cup is our biggest event of the year that helps achieve our goals of providing the support needed for Para athletes to take the next level in sport, whether that be through things like coaching, equipment, or quality competition opportunities,” said Dean Brokop, Director, Paralympic Foundation of Canada. “We are looking forward to making our return to Calgary, a city that is so supportive of sport and was so welcoming to us last year. We’re sure this event will be an enjoyable and enlightening afternoon that really shows everyone the spirit of the Paralympic Movement.” 

The Paralympic Foundation of Canada is the philanthropic arm of the Canadian Paralympic Committee and believes that every Canadian with a disability should be able to imagine themselves at the start line, regardless of ability. The Foundation raises funds to provide more Canadians with a disability the opportunity to be active in their communities and strive for success on the world stage. 

For more information about ParaTough Cup fuelled by Petro-Canada™, please visit Paralympic.ca/paratough-cup