Wheelchair Basketball Canada has revealed the lineups for the impending world championships set to take place in Ottawa. The women’s team will feature key players like Kady Dandeneau, Melanie Hawtin, Puisand Lai, Tara Llanes, Cindy Ouellet, Tamara Steeves, Elodie Tessier, and Arinn Young, who all made their mark in the previous Paralympic event securing a fourth-place finish in 2024. Additionally, Elise Froese, Rosie Long, Mercy Nyakundi, and Bethany Johnson have secured spots on the team.

Canada clinched fifth place in the 2022 championships and last tasted victory in 2014 with a gold medal win in Toronto by the women’s team. Meanwhile, the men’s squad will see seven familiar faces from both the Paralympic Games and the 2022 world championships including Reed De’Aeth, Nik Goncin, Colin Higgins, Lee Melymick, Tyler Miller, Blaise Mutware, and Garrett Ostepchuk. They will be complemented by newcomers Josh Brown, Ibrahim Odza, Kyrell Sopotyk, Lionel Tamoki, and Brandon Louie.

The Canadian men, who secured sixth place in the 2022 worlds, last claimed the top spot in 2006. The upcoming tournament, scheduled from Sept. 9-19, holds significant weight as it will determine the allocation of spots each zone will receive for the 2028 Paralympic Games.