The Province is providing $75,000 to help the BC Wheelchair Sports Association host the world's best in the 2012 Canada Cup Wheelchair Rugby Tournament, announced Richard Lee, MLA for Burnaby North on behalf of Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

The Canada Cup has become an elite international competition for wheelchair rugby behind the Paralympics and the World Championships. To be held at the Richmond Oval from June 21 to 23, the tournament will mark the last stop for teams before the 2012 Paralympics in London.

Quotes:

Hon. Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development -

"The 2012 Canada Cup Wheelchair Rugby Tournament will bring international athletes to Richmond, creating a wonderful opportunity to showcase the city's local businesses to the world. I hope everyone in B.C. takes the opportunity to cheer Canada's team on to victory."

Rob Howard, MLA for Richmond Centre -

"The Richmond Oval is a premier sporting facility, and the Canada Cup will feature the very best wheelchair rugby athletes in the world."

"The combination will result in an electric competition that I believe will draw record attendance numbers. Thank you to the BC Wheelchair Sports Association for bringing this exciting opportunity to our community."

Kathy Newman, BC Wheelchair Sports Association executive director -

"Thanks to the generous support of the provincial government, British Columbia has become an internationally recognized hotbed of wheelchair rugby. We're excited to welcome the world once again at the 2012 Canada Cup International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament."

Quick Facts:

• Provincial funding for the 2012 Canada Cup is from the 2010 Sport and Arts Legacy.
• The Province is working to develop the capacity of B.C. communities to host mid- to large-scale sporting events that support growth for local recreation, tourism and hospitality sectors.
• The BC Wheelchair Sports Association estimates the 2012 Canada Cup will result in an economic impact of approximately $1.87 million for Richmond.
• The Richmond Oval hosted the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championship - an event that broke attendance records for parasport.
• B.C. athletes on Team Canada include Ian Chan (Richmond), Trevor Hirschfield (Richmond) and Travis Murao (Richmond).
• The 2012 Canada Cup will be streamed online, and viewers can watch the event live.
• Wheelchair rugby is a sport for quadriplegics invented in Canada that combines elements of hockey, rugby and wheelchair basketball. It was made famous by the Academy Award-nominated documentary film, Murderball.

Learn More:

About the BC Wheelchair Sports Association and the 2012 Canada Cup: http://www.bcwheelchairsports.com/

Follow the BC Wheelchair Sports Association and the 2012 Canada Cup on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/BCWSA

Follow the BC Wheelchair Sports Association and the 2012 Canada Cup on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BCWSA

Contacts:

Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 208-4028 (cell)

Arley McNeney
Communications Co-ordinator
BC Wheelchair Sports Association
778 788-9091 (cell)
arley.mcneney@gmail.com