Wheelchair Rugby Canada (WRC) is proud to announce the 21 athletes nominated to the 2026-2027 National Team Athlete Pool following a four-day selection camp in October.

The camp featured high-performance training and testing as athletes began preparations for a pivotal season on the road to the LA 2028 Paralympic Games.

The 2026-2027 pool includes first-time national team athlete Brooke Perepeluk of Prince George, BC,  and the notable return of Patrice Dagenais. Dagenais, a four-time Paralympian and former national team captain, returns to the program two years after competing at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

2026-2027 National Team Athlete Pool

• Max Arsenault – Victoria, BC
• Cody Caldwell – Peterborough, ON
• Jean-Philippe Côté Nadon – Candiac, QC
• Patrice Dagenais – Embrun, ON
• Matt Debly – Windsor, ON
• Maxime Drolet-Gauthier – Montréal, QC
• Byron Green – Victoria, BC
• Jean-François Huneault – St. Eustache, QC
• Rio Kanda Kovac – Toronto, ON
• Reese Ketler – Winnipeg, MB
• Mélanie Labelle – St. Hubert, QC
• Anthony Letourneau – Boisbriand, QC
• Austin MacLellan – Fredericton, NB
• William McCreight – Kamloops, BC
• Ben Perkins – North Augusta, ON
• Kim Payzant – Lacombe, AB
• Brooke Perepeluk – Prince George, BC
• Yanick Racicot – Montréal, QC
• Eric Rodrigues – Mississauga, ON
• Patrice Simard – Québec City, QC
• Kurt Timmons – Calgary, AB

“As we mark two years until the LA 2028 Paralympic Games, our program continues to make meaningful progress, reflected in a National Team Athlete Pool that combines veteran leadership and emerging talent, including a record number of female athletes” said Wheelchair Rugby Canada’s High-Performance Director, Emily MacKeigan. “Our strategic focus remains on strengthening competitive depth and translating that depth into performance, as we work toward our first opportunity to secure Paralympic qualification at the Lima 2027 Parapan American Games.”

2026-2027 International Competition Schedule

Schedule is subject to change.

• Rugbymania Tournament: Prague, Czech Republic | November 12-14, 2026*
• Women’s Wheelchair Rugby World Championships: Paris, France | December 1-5, 2025
• Inclusive Sport and Culture Festival: Liverpool, Great Britain | May 2-8, 2027
• Lima 2027 Parapan American Games: Lima, Peru | August 12-22, 2027

*Next Gen Opportunity

WRC congratulates all 21 athletes on their nomination to the 2026-2027 National Team Athlete Pool and looks forward to the season ahead.