ParaPan 101: Boccia

Boccia is a sport that was originally created for individual with cerebral palsy. Individuals with physical disabilities now contest it at all levels. It officially became a Paralymic sport in 1984. It has been practiced in over 50 countries worldwide since 2008.

Boccia can be played individually or in teams of three. When played in teams, the team consists of both men and women.  The goal of the game is to throw leather balls, coloured red or blue closest to a target ball, which is also called a jack. The jack is thrown first. Then the first two leather balls are played. The team who threw the jack goes first. Whoever is further from the jack goes next. The objective is to get closest to the jack or to knock your opponents ball further away.

Results from 2011 ParaPan Am Games

Event                  Individual BC1

Gold           Eduardo Ventura Mexico (MEX)

Silver          Eliana Henao Columbia (COL)

Bronze        Jose Carlos Chagas Brazil (BRA)

Event                  Individual BC2

Gold           Adam Dukovich Canda (CAN)

Silver          Pablo Cortez Argentina (ARG)

Bronze        Dave Richer Canada (CAN)

Event                  Individual BC3

Gold           Paul Gauthier Canada (CAN)

Silver          Maria Belen Ruiz Argentina (ARG)

Bronze        Clodoaldo Massardi Brazil (BRA)

Event                  Individual BC4

Gold           Fabio Moraes Brazil (BRA)

Silver          Marco Dispaltro Canada (CAN)

Bronze        Josh Vandervies Canada (CAN)
Click here for more results.

Venue in 2015

Abilities Centre, 55 Gordon Street, Whitby, ON

ParaPan 101: Goalball

Source: Canadian Paralympic Committee Facebook Page

Goalball was originally created to help World War Two veterans with visual impairments during rehabilitation. It was eventually nominated as a demonstration sport at the 1976 Summer Paralympics in Toronto, and officially became part of the program in 1980.

A Goalball team consists of six players per team, and only three players are allowed on the floor at a time. There are only three positions including center, left and right wings, and all three players contribute to offense and defense. Two 12 minute halves are played. They use a round blue ball with bells in it, which helps the athletes hear the ball. The object of the game is to score as many goals in the opponents net as you can.

Results from 2011 ParaPan Am Games:
Men: Gold: Brazil / Silver: USA / Bronze: Mexico / 4th: Canada.
Women: Gold: USA / Silver: Brazil / Bronze: Canada.
Click here for more results.

Venue for 2015:
Mississauga Sports Centre at 5500 Rose Cherry Place, Mississauga, Ontario.

Monthly Wrap Up in Accessible Sports!

Source: http://thefordian.com/

Here are the most notable accessible sports articles in November:

Another great article on the Philadelphia Powerplay and Jake Saxton.

Great piece on the 2014 PowerHockey cup featuring University St. Thomas graduates who play/coach for the Minnesota Saints and Selects.

The Ontario Volleyball Association announced a new partnership with Parasport Ontario to help implement sitting volleyball in Ontario.

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven speaks about how technology has helped the growth of para-sports at a United Nations conference.

IPC President also spoke about how para-sports is important in rehabilitation.

Let's Get Coaching, part of a City of Toronto program and leading up to the 2015 ParaPan Am/Pan Am Games. Register now for Free training to become a coach starting in January 2015.

Incredible 2015 ParaPan Am Games Commercial

Source: Wikipedia.org

Watch this incredible commercial featuring 2015 ParaPan Am Games hopefuls Danielle Kisser (swimming), Jaye Milley (cycling) and David Eng (wheelchair basketball), who show a lot of strength and determination. Come out and support the para athletes next August 7th to the 15th 2015 in Toronto.

2015 Pan and ParaPan American Games EPIC Commercial

Having seen the Pan-American games commercial on television a number of times.  My thoughts on the commercial is that it captures my attention with all the sports invading the city of Toronto. It's great to see ParaPan Am sports wheelchair basketball and racing included as well. I hope the commercial generates buzz, people of Toronto should come out and support our Canadian athletes in 2015.

You can watch the commercial here:

Nova Scotia Wins Goalball 2015 ParaPan Am Test Event

Source: Canadian Paralympic Committee Facebook Page

Nova Scotia Won the Toronto Goalball Invitational over the weekend at the Hershey Center. It was a test event for 2015 ParaPan Am Games, which will be hosted in Toronto next year from August 7 to 15. This 4 team tournament also featured teams from Michigan, Alberta, and Ontario.

What is Goalball?
Goalball was originally created to help World War Two veterans with visual impairments during rehabilitation. It was eventually nominated as a demonstration sport at the 1976 Summer Paralympics in Toronto, and officially became part of the program in 1980. A Goalball team consists of six players per team, and only three players are allowed on the floor at a time. There are only three positions including center, left and right wings, and all three players contribute to offense and defense. Two 12 minute halves are played. They use a round blue ball with bells in it, which helps the athletes hear the ball. The object of the game is to score as many goals in the opponents net as you can. At the last ParaPan Am Games in 2011 Brazil won gold for the men and USA for the woman. Canada finished with bronze for the woman, while the men finished in fourth place..

Volunteer Now for the 2015 Pan and ParaPan Am Games! #WeArePanAm

It was two weekends ago since the one year kick off for the 2015 Pan and Parapan Am Games in GTA! I was volunteering on both Friday and Saturday, with day two being the highlight because it was more eventful as I was at the ParaSport Ontario booth where I played boccia and watched the mascots hilariously play sitting volleyball. Being part of the One Year Celebration at Nathan Phillips Square and the energy made me excited for next year! I also realized that 5hrs/day outdoors is exhausting for me (maybe something with some indoor time would be less exhausting).

The 2015 Pan and Parapan Am Games is on the lookout for more volunteers! You could be part of GTA's history! Find out more and to register here.

ParaSport Ontario is always looking for more people to try out accessible sports. You can check out what's available in your area here.

1 Year to Go #WeArePanAm

Source: Wikipedia.org

It's one year until the big Parapan and Pan Am Games in Toronto! There will be a countdown festival this Friday and Saturday at Nathan Phillips Square with Walk off the Earth performing FREE on Friday, July 11.

I will be there representing the Pan Am Games during the countdown festival on both days, if you come out to the celebrations look for me and say hi!

Full schedule of the two days celebrations here.