Wheelchair Rugby Canada has announced the twelve athletes that will represent Canada at the upcoming King Power Quad Nations 2019 in Leicester, UK from March 1st to 3rd.

The athletes nominated to the Canadian Wheelchair Rugby Team are as follows:

• Cody Caldwell * – Peterborough, ON
• Patrice Dagenais * – Embrun, ON
• Matt Debly – Windsor, ON
• Trevor Hirschfield * – Parksville, BC
• Fabien Lavoie * – Quebec City, QC
• Anthony Létourneau – Boisbriand, QC
• Travis Murao * – Toronto, ON
• Yanick Racicot – Montreal, QC
• Eric Rodrigues – Mississauga, ON
• Shayne Smith – Toronto, ON
• Branden Troutman – Lloydminster, AB
• Mike Whitehead * – Windsor, ON

* Denotes athletes with Paralympic experience

“We will be looking forward to a very productive week at the Quad Nations in Leicester next month.  Our goal for the trip will be to work on developing our lineups and assessing how the recent developments of our players and teams against the best competition possible” said Head Coach Patrick Côté.

The Quad Nations will see Canada take on host’s Great Britain, world champions Japan and 7th-ranked France in a round robin tournament, with the top two teams advancing to a final.

“Playing multiple games against Japan, France, and home nation GB, who all finished in the top 5 at Worlds this past summer, provides a great opportunity to do that,” said Côté.

Team Canada’s Schedule at the King Power Quad Nations 2019

March 1: Canada vs. Great Britain

March 2: Canada vs. France

March 2: Canada vs. Japan

March 3: Final Games

For the complete tournament schedule CLICK HERE

“It will be a good start to our competitive season, and a perfect first step in our preparation for the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games,” said Côté.

The Quad Nations kicks off an important year for the National Team, as it will aim to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics with a first-place finish at the 2019 Lima Parapan American Games in July. Canada will be seeking its seventh consecutive qualification to the Paralympic since 1996.

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About Wheelchair Rugby Canada

Wheelchair Rugby Canada is the national governing body for the Canadian Heritage Sport of wheelchair rugby. Wheelchair Rugby Canada strives to be a world-leader in wheelchair rugby, a respected advocate for wheelchair athletes and a visionary organization committed to excellence in programs from recruitment to retirement.

For more information, please contact:
Ben Parker-Jones
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Wheelchair Rugby Canada
Tel: 613.523.0004 Email: ben@wheelchairrugby.ca