Ontario Para Network
101-100 Sunrise Ave. M4A 1B3 Toronto, ON, Canada

Sports are back!! And we couldn't be more excited! We have updated our 'Return to Sport' guidelines and Risk Mitigation documents in accordance with the Ontario Government's newest 'Returning to Our Plan to Safely Reopen Ontario' measures. Check out the COVID-19 page on our website to review these changes and stay informed! https://onpara.ca/covid-19-information-and-resources/... It is important for us to continue being extra careful about COVID-19 protocols and guidelines, even though we have been allowed to resume activities. The health and well-being of our members, including athletes, coaches, staff and volunteers, continues to be our number one priority. Be well and stay safe!

Looking for Family Day activities? Why not check out the Cruisers Sports Try It session?! Come try wheelchair basketball and boccia with Cruisers athletes and coaches and learn about some of their other sport programs like para athletics, para ice hockey, and multi-sports! ONPARA will also be there to facilitate wheelchair tennis! ... All equipment provided, no experience necessary! This is a FREE event open to people of all ages! A great opportunity to discover something new! Registration information and details: https://onpara.ca/mc-events/cruisers-sports-try-it-day/

The application deadline is fast approaching for our School Programs Coordinator position! Last day to apply is Friday January 28! Be sure to check out the position description and share within your networks if you know someone who you think is well suited for the role! https://onpara.ca/job-opportunity-school-programs-coordina/

Thank you to hosts Burlington Vipers Wheelchair Basketball for inviting the Team Ontario Juniors to share your practice time and play some friendlies! It was so great to see everyone back on court!

Milo Casting is seeking real diverse families for a Canadian Tire photoshoot! Details: - We are looking for REAL families of all sizes and makeups! - From single parent or two parent families with one or more kids; grandparent(s) are welcome too!... - Same sex families, single parent families, and families of all abilities - Seeking families of all ethnic/religious backgrounds with a need for the following, but not limited to: Muslim families, Jewish families, East Asian families, South Asian families, Indigenous families, Black families, etc. - Previous on set experience is not necessary. Simply looking for REAL loving families that enjoy spending time together! Compensation: Those chosen for this campaign will be paid $4,000-$6,000 per family (rates will vary depending on number of family members booked) Submissions due ASAP! For more information please visit: https://onpara.ca/casting-call-families-of-all-abilities/

Sports are back!! And we couldn't be more excited! We have updated our 'Return to Sport' guidelines and Risk Mitigation documents in accordance with the Ontario Government's newest 'Returning to Our Plan to Safely Reopen Ontario' measures. Check out the COVID-19 page on our website to review these changes and stay informed! https://onpara.ca/covid-19-information-and-resources/... It is important for us to continue being extra careful about COVID-19 protocols and guidelines, even though we have been allowed to resume activities. The health and well-being of our members, including athletes, coaches, staff and volunteers, continues to be our number one priority. Be well and stay safe!

The application deadline is fast approaching for our School Programs Coordinator position! Last day to apply is Friday January 28! Be sure to check out the position description and share within your networks if you know someone who you think is well suited for the role! https://onpara.ca/job-opportunity-school-programs-coordina/

A positive attitude goes a long way! Just ask 3x Paralympian Tamara Steeves #athletequotes "I try to bring a positive energy and focus to the gym every time...." #WheelchairBasketball #BuildingChampions #CSIO . Une attitude positive peut faire une grande différence! Il suffit de demander à Tamara Steeves, 3 fois athlète paralympique #athletequotes J’essaie d’apporter de l’énergie positive et de la concentration au gymnase à chaque fois. #BasketballEnFauteuilRoulant #CréerDesChampions #ICSO Canadian Paralympic Team Wheelchair Basketball Canada Ontario Para Network Sport Canada Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries

Milo Casting is seeking real diverse families for a Canadian Tire photoshoot! Details: - We are looking for REAL families of all sizes and makeups! - From single parent or two parent families with one or more kids; grandparent(s) are welcome too!... - Same sex families, single parent families, and families of all abilities - Seeking families of all ethnic/religious backgrounds with a need for the following, but not limited to: Muslim families, Jewish families, East Asian families, South Asian families, Indigenous families, Black families, etc. - Previous on set experience is not necessary. Simply looking for REAL loving families that enjoy spending time together! Compensation: Those chosen for this campaign will be paid $4,000-$6,000 per family (rates will vary depending on number of family members booked) Submissions due ASAP! For more information please visit: https://onpara.ca/casting-call-families-of-all-abilities/

Job opportunity with #ONPARA! We are currently seeking a dynamic, dedicated and enthusiastic candidate with strong communication and facilitation skills for the role of School Programs Coordinator. The candidate will be responsible for coordinating our ONPARA Wheelchair Basketball School Programs and other programs/events as needed. For the full job posting and further details, please visit our website at https://onpara.ca/job-opportunity-school-programs-coordina/. ... Application Deadline: January 28th, 2022 ONPARA is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, or disability. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. This position is made possible in part thanks to the generous support of Scotiabank and the Canadian Tire Jumpstart.

The Canadian Paralympic Team and Coaching Association of Canada / Association canadienne des entraîneurs are seeking to understand the experiences of coaches and athletes in Para sport for an independent study. The purpose of this study is to examine current and future delivery of coach education for parasport in Canada. For more information please visit:... https://onpara.ca/research-study-examining-coach-education/ See more

A positive attitude goes a long way! Just ask 3x Paralympian Tamara Steeves #athletequotes "I try to bring a positive energy and focus to the gym every time...." #WheelchairBasketball #BuildingChampions #CSIO . Une attitude positive peut faire une grande différence! Il suffit de demander à Tamara Steeves, 3 fois athlète paralympique #athletequotes J’essaie d’apporter de l’énergie positive et de la concentration au gymnase à chaque fois. #BasketballEnFauteuilRoulant #CréerDesChampions #ICSO Canadian Paralympic Team Wheelchair Basketball Canada Ontario Para Network Sport Canada Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries

Wheelchair Tennis - The First Swing! We are back with the BTG Speaker Series - this time we will be talking all things wheelchair tennis! May 28th, 2021 at 2pm EST ... Register at: https://zoom.us//regi/tJArcuyrqTopGNTecI9FCJC6g9q1X19tfX9- After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session. Brought to you by #BridgingTheGap coordinators across Canada, this virtual event is FREE and open to anyone! Thinking of giving wheelchair tennis a try? Interested in making connections and hearing directly from athletes? This session is for you! Attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from wheelchair tennis athletes of varying ages/experiences/backgrounds from across Canada about their sport experience and how they got started. Questions? Comment below , send us a message, or contact Katherine at [email protected]!

On behalf of ONPARA and the wheelchair rugby community in Ontario, we can't thank Duncan enough for his immeasurable contributions to the sport. We wish him all the best in his retirement!

The draw for the Tokyo 2020 Women's and Men’s Wheelchair Basketball tournament has been announced! IWBF

Our friends at Wheelchair Basketball Canada are hiring a Communications & Digital Media Manager!

Ontario wheelchair rugby athlete Dave Willsie recently appeared on the Obstacles & Opportunities with Lowell & Julie podcast to talk about his experiences with the national team, and the value of sport throughout his life! Listen here: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-4fq4h-1024a2a

Our friends at Wheelchair Rugby Canada are hiring a Communications & Marketing Coordinator!

It’s been a tough year for everyone and we definitely can’t wait to say ‘Goodbye 2020!’ Wishing all the best to our members and partners. Please note that the ONPARA office will be closed for the Holidays from Dec 24-Jan 5. See you in the New Year!

Ontario athlete Mike Whitehead is the latest wheelchair rugby athlete to appear on The Canadian Ruck podcast. Follow the links below, to listen to that episode! iTunes: https://apple.co/2KLePrq Spotify: https://spoti.fi/38rgz10 YouTube: https://bit.ly/3rdGzWt

Looking for something to listen to? Check out the latest episode of The Canadian Ruck Podcast, featuring Ontario athlete Eric Furtado-Rodrigues, member of the Wheelchair Rugby Canada National Team! iTunes: https://apple.co/2Kk50QW Spotify: https://spoti.fi/34cHRH5 YouTube: https://bit.ly/3mhwrYZ

Have you been following along with the RGK Wheelchairs Lockdown Skills Challenge with Patrick Anderson?! A chance for athletes to develop their skills, challenge themselves, and potentially win a new RGK EliteX! Check it out!

Mike Whitehead elected to CPC Athletes’ Council https://bit.ly/3m6lJUR Congratulations Mike!

December 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities - a day that aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. The Ontario Para Network is proud to support athletes with disabilities by offering opportunities to participate in adaptive sports at recreational, competitive, and high performance levels in communities across the province. Together with our network of partners, we are committed to building a diverse and fully inclusive sport system.

Grateful for the representation and inclusion of para-athletes and parasport in this new Canadian Women & Sport campaign! Visit https://yourrole.womenandsport.ca to learn how you can keep more girls in wheelchair basketball. Wheelchair Basketball Canada

Pushing through #WorkoutWednesday with Travis Murao #CSIO #WheelchairRugby #BuildingChampions #SportforCanada . . . *The above content was collected prior to the closures of CSIO facilities on October 14 due to the COVID-19 pandemic... Wheelchair Rugby Canada | Canadian Paralympic Team | Canadian Sport Institute Ontario | Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre

Weren't able to catch the recent wheelchair rugby segment on 'Level Playing Field' on AMI-tv? Watch it here! https://youtube.com/watch?v=8iHfEZRKfa0 Great job Eric Furtado-Rodrigues, Shayne Smith, Mike Whitehead, and the rest of Team Canada! .... . . Accessible Media Inc. | Wheelchair Rugby Canada | Canadian Sport Institute Ontario | Canadian Paralympic Team See more

Tune into Level Playing Field tonight at 8:30pm on AMI-tv as host Greg Westlake learns how to take a hit with two Ontario wheelchair rugby athletes and National Team members, Shayne Smith and Eric Furtado-Rodrigues! Can't wait! Wheelchair Rugby Canada | Canadian Paralympic Team | Canadian Sport Institute Ontario

#WheelchairRugby is a push dominant sport. When an athlete is on the field of play they are constantly pushing their chair forwards to challenge their opponents. Since pushing is such a big part of the game, it is important to train pulling exercises in the gym to avoid developing imbalances, which can potentially lead to injuries

A great opportunity for coaches to come together and learn during these times. Check out the new 'Coaching Through COVID' webinar series from the Coaching Association of Canada / Association canadienne des entraîneurs! Webinar #1 - Join Dr. Adrienne Leslie-Toogood on October 14 for a great discussion about the hidden humanity in sport. Learn more and register at: https://coach.ca/coaching-through-covid

Attention athletes seeking funding assistance for adaptive sports equipment! The 2021 CAF Grant Application is officially OPEN! See details below! You can find the application link, eligibility information, and FAQs on our website grants page, www.challengedathletes.org/grants. (And yes, Canadians are eligible to apply! )... The application will close on November 30th, 2020 at 5PM PST. Please email [email protected] with any questions.

Today's the day! Tune in for Blaise Mutware's Instagram takeover of the Wheelchair Basketball Canada Instagram account and don't forget to send in your questions! https://www.instagram.com/wheelchairbasketballcanada/ #AthleteSpotlight Toyota Canada

Blaise Mutware is gonna power pose like there's nobody watching. #AthleteSpotlight Toyota Canada

"My greatest motivation in the sport is #Tokyo2020. I just feel like if I keep working hard enough, I have a good opportunity to represent the team in Japan." - Blaise Mutware #AthleteSpotlight

Blaise Mutware takes centre stage this week in the #AthleteSpotlight, presented by Toyota Canada! It's a big year ahead for the Toronto native, as he strives to grow in basketball and in life! http://ow.ly/fjRs50BDnCX

Ottawa area wheelchair rugby athletes Patrice Dagenais and Ben Perkins were recently interviewed by SportsOttawa.com / Ottawa Sportspage - Check out the article!

Get to know Ontario athlete and Paralympic hopeful Blaise Mutware as he's put in the Toyota Canada #AthleteSpotlight next week!