To celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, which promotes the rights and well-being of people with disabilities, Embrun Catholic Secondary School organized a wheelchair rugby match.
The event brought together four members of the Ottawa Stingers team, who introduced students in the school’s sport-studies program to this exciting and demanding sport.
The students learned the rules and took part in a friendly match, experiencing first-hand the dynamic world of wheelchair rugby. Known for its inclusiveness, the sport shows how people of all abilities can participate in sporting activities.
Local leaders and educators also participated in the event, including Russell municipal councilors Marc Lalonde and Lisa Deacon, school principal Yanick Barrette, and physical education teacher Pierre Théorêt. One of the highlights of the event was the participation of Patrice Dagenais, Ottawa Stingers player, vice-president of the Accessibility Advisory Committee and former student of the school.
“On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, it is important for us to promote accessibility and raise awareness of the existence of parasports in our municipality,” declared Mr. Dagenais. “This event has been hosted at various schools in the area over the past few years. This is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the importance of accessibility for people with disabilities and to increase the visibility of the Accessibility Advisory Committee. Students can have fun while discovering a popular Paralympic sport: wheelchair rugby. »
Councilor Lalonde, chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee, expressed his gratitude for this event.
“I am grateful for the hard work and enthusiasm of the members of our Accessibility Advisory Committee and its vice-president, Patrice Dagenais, for organizing this wheelchair rugby match in collaboration with the School secondary school in Embrun,” declared Mr. Lalonde. “This is another exciting initiative to promote accessible sports for our youth and adults with physical disabilities. »
Murderball, a sport of Canadian origin
Originally called murderball, wheelchair rugby was invented in Winnipeg in 1976. This contact sport combines elements of basketball, handball and ice hockey, providing an intense, action-packed experience.
Played in more than 40 countries, wheelchair rugby is played on a basketball court, where players must cross their opponents’ goal line to score points.
Most participants are quadriplegics, and the high-intensity sport features colliding wheelchairs, quick passes and skillful ball handling. The original name, murderball, reflects the rugged nature of the game, making it a favorite among fans of intense, high-stakes sports.
This event celebrated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities while highlighting how parasports like wheelchair rugby promote inclusivity and create opportunities for people of all abilities to enjoy the benefits of physical activity and competition.
