For Tanya Crowe, wheelchair rugby has always been about community. 

More than a decade ago, Tanya was introduced to the sport through her husband. What began as spectating quickly turned into leadership roles both within her local club, the London Annihilators, and at the national level with the Northern Lights Women’s Development Program. 

“I started coming out 10-ish years ago after I met my husband, and I’ve been around ever since,” she said. “At first, I was just watching. Within a year I was doing support tasks, then moved into admin, and now I’ve become involved in the women’s development program. Each year, a little bit more is added to my plate.” 

Her connection to the wheelchair rugby community became even more meaningful when her stepfather sustained a spinal cord injury nine years ago. 

“If it wasn’t for knowing this community and the support that it offered, we wouldn’t have had a clue how to support him,” she explained. “Everybody is so welcoming. People are learning everyday tasks outside of the medical field and sharing that knowledge. There’s encouragement for the players, but also for the family members. You can come in and ask questions.” 

That sense of belonging is something Tanya works to foster every day through her leadership roles. 

As a returning recipient of the Women in Leadership Development (WILD) Fund, Tanya continues to expand her impact across the sport. The funding has allowed her to pursue professional development opportunities that may otherwise have been difficult to access while balancing a full-time job, family responsibilities, and volunteer commitments. 

“The main thing is financial freedom,” she said. “The WILD Fund has given me the opportunity to go learn new things. I’ve wanted to get more involved, and this is a financial opportunity to do that.” 

Over the past year, Tanya has become increasingly involved with the Canadian Women’s Wheelchair Rugby Development Program, attending training camps, competitions, and team meetings while supporting the growth of the women’s game across Canada. She has witnessed significant changes in a short period of time. 

“The information sharing is incredible,” she said. “I don’t think the women’s program was really discussed at the club level before. Now there’s a lot of excitement around what’s happening. The athletes have something to be excited for.” 

Not only has the interest in the program grown, but the players themselves have developed significantly; a process which Tanya has seen firsthand. 

“Seeing the skill level and confidence change, even from a Friday to a Sunday at a training camp or tournament, is like night and day. What the team looks like by the end of the weekend is incredible.” 

Much of the work Tanya does with the women’s program draws on the experience she has gained with the London Annihilators. Whether it’s fundraising, recruitment, community engagement, or volunteer development, she sees strong connections between growing a local club and strengthening the national women’s pathway. 

Looking ahead, Tanya hopes to use this year’s WILD Fund support to continue expanding community engagement efforts and developing new grassroots fundraising opportunities. 

“I’m big on community engagement, knowledge, and development,” she said. “That’s how you find people you never would have found otherwise—whether that’s an athlete, volunteer, sponsor, or supporter.” 

Underlying all of Tanya’s work is a belief that representation matters. 

“Even though we’re taking great strides toward having more women involved as athletes, it makes it significantly easier for women to put themselves out there when they see other women there,” she said. 

For athletes who may be new to adaptive sport, that visibility can make all the difference. 

“It’s intimidating to come out and try something new, especially after an injury. Seeing women involved—not just as athletes, but in leadership roles—helps people understand that there’s a place for them in the sport.” 

Through her leadership, Tanya is helping create those spaces and ensuring that more women and girls feel welcomed, supported, and empowered within wheelchair rugby. Whether through community-building, fundraising, mentorship, or advocacy, her work continues to strengthen the sport at every level. 

 

The Women In Leadership Development Fund is made possible through the support of the Government of Canada