News

24 Hour Wheelchair Basketball Game Sets Record

Toronto, ON – ParaSport Ontario along with the Ontario Wheelchair Sports Association completed their goal of hosting a 24 hour wheelchair basketball game this past Friday and Saturday at the Harbourfront Community Centre in Toronto. Wheelchair Basketball Canada has recognized the game as the longest game played on Canadian soil. The game was played on both the outdoor and indoor court located at the corner of Bathurst St and Queens Quay with the record set at noon on Saturday, August 28, 2010.

"On behalf of the wheelchair basketball community in Canada I would like to congratulate ParaSport Ontario, the Ontario Wheelchair Sport Association and all of athletes who were part of this historic event," said Wheelchair Basketball Canada Executive Director Wendy Gittens.
 
Thirty participants, with various skill levels (from people who have never played wheelchair basketball to players on the provincial and national teams) worked together to set the record. Each player took their turn playing 20 minutes out of every hour.  The game ended 1006-917 in favor of the grey team but the score was much closer than that for most of the event. Both teams were back and forth until an early morning charge after breakfast when young stars Eric Voss and Kevin Wakeling took over for the grey team and pulled away.   

San Antonio Spur’s Center, Matt Bonner stopped by to motivate the teams and lend a hand in attempting to set this record. “The San Antonio Spurs play games with wounded soldiers when they come back and many have lost limbs in battle. It is awesome and lucky that I saw this game and now I get a chance to help support it.”

Designed to raise funds for ParaSport Ontario and Ontario Wheelchair Sports Association, proceeds from the event will be used to fund first contact programs such as Ready, Willing and Able and Bridging the Gap, purchase adaptive equipment, develop new ParaSport clubs and Accessible Sport Councils and support athletes participating in the Ontario ParaSport Summer and Winter Games.

“It was great to see support from so many different national team members from different sports such as Tyler Miller (Wheelchair Basketball), Papito Wilson (Athletics), Graeme Murray (Sledge Hockey) Joel Dembe (Wheelchair Tennis),” said Cathy Vincelli, Executive Director of ParaSport Ontario.  “We hope this event becomes a signature event and raises awareness for sports for people with a physical disability.”

On behalf of ParaSport Ontario, we sincerely thank all of the participants and volunteers for helping to set this record, and special thanks to all who made a donated in support of this event.

For more information about the Play24 event, please visit www.parasportontario.ca or contact Matt Rhodes, Games/Communications Manager at 416.426.7030.