OCPSA will partner with the Ottawa Lions Track & Field Club to deliver an intensive community outreach program providing awareness, first experiences and engagement in Para Athletics with a special focus on wheelchair racing and seated throws events. The program will not only increase Para Athletics participation among children and youth with a physical disability, it will increase community capacity to support participation and development in Para Athletics by this underrepresented population, and thereby be integral to the growth of para athletics in Ottawa over the long term.
“We are so grateful to Athletics Canada and the Government of Canada for this generous grant” said Amanda Fader, Executive Director of OCPSA. “This collaboration will support kids with physical disabilities in the Ottawa area to get active through new game-changing opportunities for recreational and competitive sport participation.”
“Through our partnerships with sports organizations across the country, the Athletics Canada Athletics For All grant program is increasing capacity for participation in the sport of Athletics,” said Fannie Smith, Athletics Canada’s Manger of Para Development. “We are proud to support the Ontario Cerebral Palsy Sports Association with this grant to increase awareness of the sport, make it more inclusive, and ultimately grow Athletics among all Canadians and specifically athletes with a disability”.
OCPSA improves the overall health, wellness and quality of life of children, youth and adults with cerebral palsy and similar complex disabilities through the delivery of sport and physical activity programming. OCPSA is a registered charitable organization and a leading amateur sport organization in the province for persons with a disability. For more information on OCPSA and this initiative, visit www.ocpsa.com.
The Community Sport for All Initiative (CSAI) Athletics for All Grant is made possible thanks to funding from the Government of Canada. The grant is intended to support the various groups within the Athletics (track and field, Para Athletics, cross-country, and road, mountain, and trail running) community towards launching programming to remove barriers and increase sport participation for two targeted underrepresented populations: Newcomers to Canada and Athletes with a Disability. For more information, please visit www.canada.ca and www.athletics.ca.
Contact for Media Inquiries:
Kira Crozier, Director, Resource Development
Ontario Cerebral Palsy Sports Association
