Vancouver ParaTough Cup raises $90,000 and shines a spotlight on the power of Para sport 

RICHMOND, B.C. – ParaTough Cup, the signature fundraising event of the Paralympic Foundation of Canada, hosted another successful event at the Richmond Olympic Oval with participants raising $90,000 for Para sport in Canada. 

The Vancouver edition of ParaTough Cup, presented by Air Canada, brought together 12 teams for an unforgettable day of competition, connection, and impact. Participants tested their skills in sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, and Para ice hockey, experiencing firsthand the intensity and athleticism of Para sport. Between games, teams had the opportunity to hear from Paralympians and Next Gen athletes through engaging fireside chats. These athletes also demonstrated their expertise at the sport stations, creating moments of motivation, understanding, and celebration that will last forever. 

“Seeing ParaTough Cup in action for the first time was incredible,’’ said Scott Sandison, the Paralympic Foundation of Canada (PFC) executive director since September.  ‘’It is so much more than a competition – it’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when community, sport, and purpose come together. The energy and commitment we saw today fuel real change, opening more doors for Canadians with a disability to access and thrive in sport” 

After a half day of competition, Coastal Mountain Fuels emerged as the ParaTough Cup champions, with lululemon #2 securing second place and lululemon #1 finishing close behind in third. A huge shoutout to The Collective, our top fundraising team, led by Antoine Audoynaud, this year’s top individual fundraiser. Teams from Air Canada, Pfizer, Fasken, BLG, The Collective, EllisDon BC, Watson & Company, CSI Pacific, and Toyota also brought strong performances and incredible team spirit to an action-packed day celebrating Para sport. 

“ParaTough Cup is always such a challenge – and that’s what makes it so incredible,” said Isabelle Was, team member of Coastal Mountain Fuels’ winning team. 

‘’We’ve taken part several times, and every year we’re amazed by how tough and fun it is. Hearing directly from the athletes is always the highlight, it shows the real impact of events like this in driving awareness and support for Para sport.”  

Josh Dueck, the Paralympic Winter Games sit-ski downhill champion in 2014, was the event’s emcee and was joined by fellow Paralympians Alex Cairns, Mollie Jepsen, Alexis Guimond and Mac Marcoux from Para alpine skiing; Para cyclist Nathan Clement, sitting volleyball player Danielle Ellis, Para rower Curtis Halladay, Para table tennis player Peter Isherwood, wheelchair basketball player Tara Llanes, Para triathlete Jessica Tuomela, and Next Gen Para rowers Danielle Main and Abbygayle Durliat.  

‘’It’s super cool to see how these corporate supporters jumped in feet first into supporting us athletes all the way through to the 2026 Games,” said Jepsen, a six-time Paralympic Games medallist over the last two Games. ‘’We’re having amazing conversations about what accessibility looks like for their organizations. It’s just awesome to see an organization just go full in supporting the next generation of Paralympians and current Paralympians.” 

Since its inception in 2017, the ParaTough Cup event series has raised more than $2.6 million in support of Para sport in Canada. All funds raised through this season’s events will contribute to the Paralympic Foundation of Canada’s $35 million IGNITE campaign, helping to break down barriers and create more opportunities for Canadians with a disability to participate and excel in sport. 

The next ParaTough Cup is set for November 6 at Collège Notre-Dame in Montreal followed by stops in Calgary on January 29, 2026 and Toronto on April 30, 2026.