Held at the iconic Mattamy Athletic Centre, 20 teams enjoyed an afternoon of spirited Para sport competition, all vying for the title of ParaTough Cup champion.
Brought to you by
The final stop of the 2024/25 ParaTough Cup season finished on a high as 20 teams came together to raise an incredible $194,000, a record total for the Toronto event, all in support of Para sport in Canada.
Held at the iconic Mattamy Athletic Centre, the ParaTough Cup Toronto presented by Canadian Tire Corporation delivered an unforgettable day of friendly competition, team spirit, and appreciation for the Paralympic Movement. Participants got hands-on experience with Paralympic sports including sitting volleyball and Para ice hockey, and for the first-time Wheelchair rugby, all while learning directly from Canadian Paralympians and elite Para athletes, as they competed to be champions.
“The Toronto stop has exceeded our expectations,” shared Karen O’Neill, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. “The ParaTough Cup continues to go from strength to strength, it is always a great day for participants who get to experience Para sport and come away with a newfound appreciation for Para athletes.
“It’s largely thanks to partners like Canadian Tire, who have been great supporters and believers in the Paralympic Movement for many years, including through very challenging years for sport, particularly over COVID. Canadian Tire has been there every step of the way to help promote and support access and inclusion to sport, not only events like this but in the very business of how they provide sport opportunities for each and every Canadian.”
For Ashley Curran, Associate Vice President of Sport Partnerships and Jumpstart Brand at Canadian Tire Corporation, the ParaTough Cup continues to be a celebrated highlight of the partnership with the Canadian Paralympic Committee and a beloved activity for the Canadian Tire Corporation team members.
“The ParaTough Cup gives you a whole new level of respect for Para athletes and Para sport. Once you get in the chair or on the ice and try the sports yourself, you realize how tough they really are and that these are some of the best athletes in the country,” Curran shared. “Our partnership with the Canadian Paralympic Committee has always been about championing inclusion in sport, and events like the ParaTough Cup bring this commitment to life. They change how we see Para sport and push us to be more inclusive in how we celebrate and support the Canadian Paralympic Team.”
The Toronto event record breaking $194,000 raised goes directly toward the Paralympic Foundation of Canada’s IGNITE campaign that creates more opportunities for Canadians with a disability to access, participate in, and excel in sport, from community programs through to support for the next generation of Canadian Paralympians.
“To hear we’ve set a new fundraising record today is just amazing,” O’Neill stated. “This will create real impact for Para sport across Canada. This means more funding for quality coaching, provides access to adaptive equipment, and more opportunities for those who want to participate at community clubs… it helps Canadians with a disability have the opportunities to discover and fall in love with sport.”
Legendary Para ice hockey player and Paralympic gold medallist Todd Nicholson echoed that message, underlining the social impact of Para sport and celebrating the growth in awareness of and access to the Paralympic Movement.
“A lot of people still think Para sport is only for people with disabilities, but events like the ParaTough Cup show just how inclusive and adaptable these sports really are… it’s about inclusion and community,” Nicholson shared. “That’s what the Paralympic Movement is all about, breaking barriers, creating opportunity, and proving that sport truly is for everyone.”
Thursday’s event was emceed by Paralympic Games Para alpine skiing gold medallist Josh Dueck and legendary CBC sports host Scott Russell. The duo also hosted a number of fireside chats during the day, allowing participants to hear from some of Canada’s elite Para athletes about their own journeys to represent the nation on the international stage.
Defending their 2024 title, Edison Engineers earned the title of 2025 ParaTough Cup Toronto champions, while The CEO Team led by Air Canada Chief Executive Officer Michael Rousseau tied with fellow team The Collective to be celebrated as the Top Fundraiser Awards, celebrating their outstanding contribution to igniting a more inclusive sporting future.
Through events like ParaTough Cup, the IGNITE campaign is helping to shape communities where every Canadian with a disability can experience the power of sport. Learn more about the ParaTough Cup and how to get involved at Paralympic.ca/ParaToughCup.
"*" indicates required fields
