Ottawa, ON — Wheelchair Rugby Canada is proud to announce the roster for the Northern Lights, the country’s Women’s Development Team, as they prepare to make history at RugbyMania 2025 in Prague, Czechia. This tournament will mark the first time an all-women’s team competes in an international mixed-gender wheelchair rugby competition.

The Northern Lights roster brings together a talented group of athletes from across the country, representing the next generation of Canadian women in wheelchair rugby:

Ellen Doria – NB

Cory Harrower – SK

Natasha Smids – ON

Jessica Kruger – BC

Kim Payzant – AB

Erika Schmutz – ON

Tiana Hesmert – BC

Kasey Aiello – AB

Sophie Forest – QC

Kristen Cameron – PEI

 

Supporting the athletes are a dedicated team of volunteer coaches and support staff:

• Pico Dagenais – Coach
• Travis Murao – Coach
• Sally Chamberlain – Support Staff
• Tanya Crowe – Support Staff
• Ian Mayberry – Equipment

“This is a historic moment not only for our athletes but for the sport of wheelchair rugby as a whole,” said Paul Hunter, CEO of Wheelchair Rugby Canada. “The Northern Lights represent the dedication, talent, and leadership that is driving gender equity in our sport. We are proud to support them as they compete on the international stage.”

The team includes trailblazers like Erika Schmutz, a Paralympic bronze medalist and the first woman to score a try in a Paralympic wheelchair rugby match (Beijing, 2008). Shmutz has been an advocate for women in the sport, continuing to be involved in various board at the National and International level. 

“Seeing the growth in women’s wheelchair rugby has been amazing. We’ve tried so many different things in the last 20 years, and this is the first time I feel hope” said Erika Schmutz. “It has taken the realization that an all women’s team is possible, and the way we need to go in order to increase female participation. Success, is that we continue attending such events, and other countries start sending their all women’s teams. That creates awareness that a women’s division at the Paralympic games can be a reality and not easily ignored by non participating countries.”

From the team of 10, five of the athletes represented Canada at the 2023 World Wheelchair Rugby Women’s Cup. They are joined by some fresh faces, including Ellen Doria of New Brunswick, who was the recipient of the Rising Star Award at the 2025 Canadian Wheelchair Rugby National Championships.

When asked what she hopes women and girls in the sport take away from seeing the Northern Lights competing internationally, Shmutz dais; “I hope they see themselves competing at such events in the future! Seeing someone like you, doing something they love, is such a powerful motivator. It shows you what is possible.”

With their sights set on RugbyMania 2025, the Northern Lights are ready to compete, make history, and inspire the next generation of women in wheelchair rugby.

Get Involved
Support the Northern Lights and the Women’s Development Program by helping them reach their fundraising goal. Every contribution helps empower these athletes to compete internationally and continue growing the sport for women in Canada.

📩 changethegame@wheelchairrugby.ca
 💻 Donate Now