Wheelchair Rugby Canada nominates team for Rio 2016 Paralympic Games

Wheelchair Rugby Canada and the Canadian Paralympic Committee announced its 12-personteamfor the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games on Monday.

The teamis ranked No. 1 in wheelchair rugby for the first time in 13 years after winning gold at both the Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games and the 2015 World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge.

"Last year, we got our first taste of gold in over a decade. We'll be carrying that feeling into Rio," said head coach Kevin Orr. "We are working daily to prepare tactically, technically, psychologically and physically for a gold medal in Rio. We're ready to go."

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Making it to the top of the podium in Brazilwould be the team's firstParalympicgold. The team captured silverin London 2012,falling to Australia 66-51 in the final.

Team Canada will draw on extensive competitive experience with nineathletesreturning from the London 2012 roster. The team will compete in pool A alongside Australia, Great Britain and Brazil.

"Wheelchair rugby promises to be an extremely exciting contest in Rio that will have fans on the edge of their seats,"said Team Canada chef de missionChantalPetitclerc. "I can't wait to cheer on the Canadian players as they charge forward in pursuit of their goals."

Canada's Paralympic roster

• MirandaBiletski,Regina, Sask.
• Cody Caldwell,Peterborough, Ont.
• Ian Chan,Richmond, B.C.
• PatriceDagenais, (co-captain)Embrun, Ont.
• Byron Green,Courtenay, B.C.
• TrevorHirschfield(co-captain),Parksville, B.C.
• FabienLavoie,Quebec City, Que.
• ZakMadell,Okotoks,Alta.
• TravisMurao,Richmond, B.C.
• PatriceSimard,Quebec City, Que.
• Mike Whitehead,Windsor, Ont.
• DavidWillsie,Dorchester, Ont.

Chan, Dagenais, Hirschfield, Lavoie, Madell, Murao, Simard, Whitehead and Willsiewere all members of the London 2012 team.

Canada's last competition before Rio will take place on home soil at the 2016 Canada Cup International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament from June 23-26 in Richmond, B.C. Seven of the world's top teams will compete.