Recognizing ParaTough Cup Volunteers during National Volunteer Week

As part of the 10-Year Anniversary celebrations of the Paralympic Foundation of Canada, we’re shining a light on one of the incredible people helping to IGNITE the future of Para sport: Lynne Kozina, a passionate, long-time volunteer with the ParaTough Cup.

Lynne’s introduction to volunteering in sport began on one of the world’s biggest stages.

“I started my sports volunteering journey when Toronto hosted the PanAm and Para PanAm Games in 2015,” she recalls. “I just wanted to help my city. But I had so much fun and met such amazing people that I thought… I need to do this again.”

That experience led her to applying as a volunteer for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and later the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, where she worked at Canada House and supported the Canadian Teams at the Games. It was there that her connection to Para sport began to deepen.

“Being at the Paralympic Games and meeting Paralympians in person, that changed everything,” she says. “You realize just how much grit and talent these athletes have. It made me want to keep supporting this community any way I could.”

Her desire to stay involved led Lynne to find volunteer opportunities with the ParaTough Cup. Since 2019, she’s volunteered across all the Toronto events, supporting everything from wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball to Para ice hockey and most recently the visually impaired experience station.

“I’ve done every sport at the ParaTough Cup now… sometimes by accident, sometimes by luck,” she laughs. “And each one is amazing. During the team breaks, you get to try the sports yourself, even just a little, and you quickly realize how tough they are. I tried wheelchair basketball and could barely get the ball up to the hoop. The basket is the same height as in the Olympics, and you’re much lower in a chair… it’s really hard! It gives you a whole new appreciation for wheelchair basketball athletes.”

Volunteering has also been a meaningful way for Lynne to feel connected to her city. One of her favourite memories is working at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, the former Maple Leaf Gardens, and site for the ParaTough Cup events in Toronto.

“I was born and raised in Toronto, and like a lot of people, I was worried when the building was sold. But they turned it into this beautiful multi-sport facility,” Lynne shares. “So to see Para sport showcased in a space with that much Canadian sports history, it’s really special.”

But for Lynne, it’s not just about the sport. It’s about the people.

“You meet so many incredible folks volunteering at these events… athletes, coaches, fellow volunteers, staff… and you start to see the same faces every year,” she says. “From my volunteer experiences, I have formed friendships that stretch across cities and even generations. I’m in my 60s, and I’ve worked alongside people in their 20s.

“We might be decades apart in age, but we’re on the same team. With volunteering you really find your community.”

One of her favourite moments was reuniting with Pyeongchang 2018 Chef de Mission Todd Nicholson at a ParaTough Cup event who she had met in Pyeongchang.

“We looked at each other and said, ‘You look familiar.’ And I pulled out a selfie we had taken together at Canada House in 2018,” Lynne said. “It was so fun to reconnect like that years later at the ParaTough Cup. That’s what volunteering does, it builds community.”

Each ParaTough Cup ends with the announcement of the fundraising total for that event, the recent 2024/25 season has enjoyed a record-breaking season raising over $600,000 for Para sport development in Canada, and for Lynne, that’s always a proud moment.

“It’s amazing to hear how much is raised in just one day. And knowing that money is going directly back to athletes and programs… especially in a space where funding isn’t always equal, it is incredibly fulfilling,” Lynne says.

“I don’t think people always realize how much these athletes rely on that support. Para sport still doesn’t get the same spotlight as other sport, and that’s why events like the ParaTough Cup are so important. They raise awareness, they grow community, and they show athletes that we’ve got their backs.”

When asked what keeps her coming back year after year, Lynne’s answer is simple.

“It’s just one day,” she says. “But it’s one day where you can do a lot of good. You’re part of something meaningful. And you get to have fun, meet great people, and feel like you’re helping shape the future of sport in Canada.”

Her message to anyone thinking about volunteering?

“Just go for it,” she says. “You don’t need to be an expert in anything. You just need to show up with an open heart. You’ll make friends, learn something new, and feel like you’re part of something bigger. I hope I can keep doing this into my 80s.”

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, we recognize volunteers like Lynne Kozina, whose passion, time, and spirit help make the ParaTough Cup, and IGNITE Para sport in Canada, stronger, more inclusive, and more vibrant every year.