At a press conference celebrating the Year of Sport at Robson Square today, the Hon. Minister Fassbender, Minister for Community, Sport and Cultural Development, announced that the Government of BC would commit $90,000 to the 2016 Canada Cup International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament. Canada Cup is the most prestigious wheelchair rugby tournament in the world after the World Championships and Paralympic Games.
Minster Fassbender was joined by wheelchair rugby national team member Byron Green, who spoke about winning gold at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American games on home soil and how he looks forward to competing in front of family and friends at the Richmond Olympic Oval next year.
"Wheelchair rugby was born in Canada and we are proud to be able to once more give Canadians the opportunity to see it being played at the highest level," said BC Wheelchair Sports Association Executive Director Gail Hamamoto, who chairs the event. "We would like to thank Minister Fassbender and the Government of BC for the amazing support."
The 2016 Canada Cup International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament will take place from June 24-26 at the Richmond Olympic Oval. The best teams from around the world -- including #1-ranked Canada -- will battle for final world rankings before they head to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.