Sitting volleyball squads nominated to the Canadian Paralympic Committee for Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games

MONTREAL, May 4, 2015 /CNW/ - With qualification for Rio in their sights, athletes for both men's and women's sitting volleyball teams have been nominated to the Canadian Paralympic Committee for selection to the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games team after a training camp and tournament this past week in Montreal.

A total of 12 men and 10 women were named to the team along with head coaches Ray Sewell of Calgary (for the men) and Nicole Ban of Edmonton (for the women).

The complete roster appears at the end of this release.

The Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games will be an important tournament for Canada's men's and women's national sitting volleyball teams as it is a direct qualifier for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio. The Canadian men's team took the bronze at the 2007 and 2011 Parapan Am Games, while this is a first major Games appearance for the women.

In men's sitting volleyball, Canada needs to finish first or second to Brazil to gain a berth for the Paralympic Games. The Brazilians already have a spot locked up as hosts.

"The Parapan Am Games being held in Toronto is a huge opportunity for parasport in Canada and for the continued development of sitting volleyball," said Ray Sewell, head coach of Canada's men's team. "Our team has made big improvements over the last couple years and we are excited to prove that Canada continues to be competitive in the Pan Am zone. The addition of some younger athletes onto our team has given us a good balance of experience, youth and enthusiasm."

On the women's side, Canada needs to finish ahead of Cuba to qualify for Rio. Brazil is in as host and the U.S. automatically gained a berth by winning the gold medal at the world championships last year.

"We are excited to begin our preparations for the Games this summer," said Nicole Ban, the women's team head coach. "This is the first time that there is a women's division for sitting volleyball in the Parapan Am Games and we are thrilled that it is taking place in Canada. We have a number of new athletes and we are hoping to have a good showing at the Parapan Am Games and contend for a berth in the 2016 Paralympic Games."

In sitting volleyball teams are composed of players with various disabilities such as amputations and spinal cord injuries. Players are seated and must keep contact with the floor at all times. Athletes demonstrate amazing mobility and skill as they serve, pass, smash and block.

"I've had an opportunity to meet the sitting volleyball team and staff," said Canada's Chef de Mission Elisabeth Walker-Young. "Their spirit, dedication and work ethic impressed me. I'm pleased that they will be on Team Canada for the Toronto 2015 Games with the intended goal of qualifying for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. I'm looking forward to seeing these athletes in action in Toronto."

The sitting volleyball squad is the second of 14 Canadian teams to be nominated to the Canadian Paralympic Committee for selection for the Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games, which take place Aug. 7 to 15. Canada is expected to send approximately 220 athletes to the Games and has set a goal of finishing in the top three nations in the total medal count. Qualification is ongoing and the full team will be officially unveiled in July 2015.

"I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to the athletes named today to Canada's sitting volleyball team for the Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games," said The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). "I wish you good luck as you enter the final stages of your preparation and hope you enjoy the experience of competing at these Games at home during the Year of Sport in Canada."

TORONTO 2015 Parapan Am Games tickets are currently on sale. Parapan Am events are expected to draw big crowds, particularly the sports of athletics, swimming, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby. Tickets are available online at TORONTO2015.org/tickets.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Media are invited to visit photos.paralympic.ca and create an account to be able to download high-resolution photos of Canadian Paralympic and Parapan Am athletes at any time, at no cost.

About Volleyball Canada

Volleyball Canada is the National Sport Organization for volleyball, and has approximately 64,000 members. Volleyball Canada fosters the growth and development of the sport in Canada, and oversees the national programs for indoor, beach and sitting volleyball.  For more information, see www.volleyball.ca

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee

The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 25 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic Movement. The Canadian Paralympic Committee's vision is to be the world's leading Paralympic nation. Its mission is to lead the development of a sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games. By supporting Canadian high performance athletes with a disability and promoting their success, the Canadian Paralympic Committee inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organizations. For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca

Follow the Canadian Paralympic Committee:
www.paralympic.ca
www.facebook.com/CDNParalympics
www.twitter.com/CDNParalympics
www.youtube.com/CDNParalympics
www.instagram.com/CDNParalympics

SOURCE Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC)

Image with caption: "With qualification for Rio in their sights, athletes for both men’s and women’s sitting volleyball teams have been nominated to the Canadian Paralympic Committee for selection to the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games team after a training camp and tournament this past week in Montreal. (CNW Group/Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150504_C2287_PHOTO_EN_16145.jpg

Image with caption: "With qualification for Rio in their sights, athletes for both men’s and women’s sitting volleyball teams have been nominated to the Canadian Paralympic Committee for selection to the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games team. (CNW Group/Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150504_C2287_PHOTO_EN_16146.jpg

Related Links

http://www.paralympic.ca/english/index.asp