Trevor Hirschfield embraces new role as Canada’s wheelchair rugby coach

ST. CATHARINES – Trevor Hirschfield plants himself at mid-court along the side wall, analyzing Team Canada’s scrimmage with an eagle eye.

It’s late July and the squad is amidst an intense one-week training block at Brock University in preparation for the 2026 Wheelchair Rugby World Championships August 17-23 in Sao Paulo.

The first two-hour session of the day is relentless in pace, but the players keep churning their wheels through drills, skills, and games. They know they’ll face a daunting schedule in Brazil with eight games in seven days.

The worlds will be Canada’s first major tournament since finishing fifth at the 2024 Paralympic Games. There is little doubt, however, the team will be exceptionally fit and well prepared.

Hirschfield, a five-time Paralympian from Parksville, B.C., was named head coach in March 2025. He is now putting the lessons he learned as one of Canada’s most accomplished wheelchair rugby players into practice.

After more than a year on the job, Hirschfield admits the transition from player to coach has been about more than the X’s and O’s.

‘’The biggest challenge is just creating relationships differently,’’ Hirschfield told CPC after practice. ‘’They’re not my teammates anymore. They’re athletes I work with, and you’ve got to support them differently and work with them differently.’’

The transition appears to be working. Eight of the 12 players on Canada’s world championships roster played alongside Hirschfield, some for more than a decade.

Eric Rodrigues, who played with Hirschfield at two Paralympic Games, says Hirschfield’s experience as an athlete gives him an understanding of the game that is difficult to replicate.

‘’He’s been mentored by the best ever,’’ said Rodrigues. ‘’As a coach he now takes the player’s perspective and translates that into his coaching methods.’’

Rodrigues is particularly pleased that Hirschfield absorbs all the feedback from the players and respect goes both ways.

‘’He knows it’s important for a coach to understand what the players are thinking,’’ said Rodrigues. ‘’It’s not just a one-way street. It’s a huge collaboration.’’

The approach is particularly important as Canada fields a team that combines veterans and four players making their way into the national team program.

‘’We are creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed, everyone feels valued and we’re all pushing each other to get better,’’ said the coach.

As the first practice ends, players gather in a circle for a playful conversation before lunch. The question of the day is, what is your favourite kind of cheese?

The answers vary. Some prefer cheddar. Others go for brie. There is no consensus — but consensus isn’t the point.

“The most rewarding part of my time as coach has been seeing the athletes’ growth,” said Hirschfield.  No one’s complacent. They are all trying to get the best out of themselves for the team.’’