After a nine-year hiatus, Wheelchair Rugby Canada (WRC) is thrilled to announce the return of its Hall of Fame in 2027, as part of the celebration of the sport’s 50th anniversary. Nominations are now open for the next class of inductees, with members of the wheelchair rugby community invited to recognize the individuals and teams who have helped shape the sport in Canada and internationally.

Established in 2017, the Canadian Wheelchair Rugby Hall of Fame recognizes and celebrates the achievements and contributions of individuals and teams that have made a significant impact on the development and advancement of wheelchair rugby.

Originally intended to welcome a new class of inductees every four years, the Hall of Fame’s 2021 induction cycle was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2027, WRC will honour a new class of inductees and move to an annual induction cycle, providing an ongoing opportunity to celebrate the athletes, coaches, officials, classifiers, builders and teams whose achievements and dedication have helped shape the sport.

“As we celebrate 50 years of wheelchair rugby, it’s important that we recognize the people whose dedication, achievements and leadership have helped build our sport into what it is today. The Hall of Fame is an opportunity to honour their lasting contributions and celebrate the legacy they’ve created for future generations of athletes and the wheelchair rugby community,” said Paul Hunter, CEO of Wheelchair Rugby Canada.

The induction ceremony will take place during the 2027 Canadian Wheelchair Rugby National Championships in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the birthplace of wheelchair rugby. First developed in Winnipeg in 1977, the sport has grown into an internationally recognized Paralympic sport, with Canadian athletes, teams and builders playing an important role in its evolution.

Categories and Eligibility Criteria

Individuals who are Canadian citizens or have lived in Canada for at least five years and have made a significant impact on wheelchair rugby may be nominated for induction. Contributions may be at the local, provincial, national or international level.

The Hall of Fame recognizes achievements and contributions across five categories:

Athlete

Candidates are evaluated based on their skill level, sportsmanship, character and exceptional achievements in wheelchair rugby. National Team athlete nominees are eligible for consideration three years after retiring from major championship competitions.

Coaches, Officials and Classifiers

Candidates will be selected based on their significant contributions to developing wheelchair rugby in Canada at the local, provincial, national, or international level. Nominees must either have retired from the position for which they are nominated or have served in their field for at least six years.

Builder

Candidates will be selected based on their significant contributions to the progress and development of wheelchair rugby in Canada, at the local, provincial, national, or international level. These nominees can be either currently active or inactive at the time they are being considered.

Team

Candidates will be selected based on their significant contributions to the growth and progress of wheelchair rugby in Canada, whether locally, provincially, nationally, or internationally. National teams are automatically inducted into the Hall of Fame if they have secured a gold medal at the World Championships or Paralympic Games. Special circumstances will be evaluated individually by the Hall of Fame Committee.

The inaugural class of 2017 included the 2002 World Wheelchair Rugby Championship Team, the Founding Fathers, Garett Hickling and Judith Zelman in the Athlete category, as well as Pawel Zbieranowski in the Builder category.

As Wheelchair Rugby Canada prepares to celebrate 50 years of the sport, the return of the Hall of Fame offers an opportunity to recognize the people and teams whose achievements, leadership and dedication have helped build wheelchair rugby into what it is today. With annual inductions moving forward, WRC looks forward to continuing to celebrate the legacy of those who have contributed to the sport’s growth and success.

Nominations for the 2027 Canadian Wheelchair Rugby Hall of Fame are open until December 31, 2026. Those interested in submitting a nomination are encouraged to review the nomination criteria and complete the nomination form on the Hall of Fame page.

Learn more about the Hall of Fame, its past inductees, nomination materials, and submit a nomination below.