(OTTAWA, Ont.) – Wheelchair Basketball Canada (WBC) extends heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Paul Bowes, who passed away on Monday, March 2, 2026.

A pillar of the Canadian and international wheelchair basketball community, Bowes’ passion, leadership and dedication transformed the lives of countless athletes.

Born in Woodstock, Ont., Bowes’ journey in wheelchair basketball began as a coach nearly four decades ago. In 1988, he stepped onto the court to support his stepson’s team — the London Forest City Flyers — and in doing so began a lifelong commitment to the sport.

In 1993, WBC welcomed Bowes as an assistant coach with the Senior Men’s National Team (SMNT), where he helped guide Canada to gold medals at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Paralympic Games. Bowes took over as head coach of the SMNT in 2005 and the following year led the men’s team to its only World Championship gold medal. He returned to WBC in 2023, guiding the Senior Women’s National Team to a silver medal finish at the Parapan American Games.

Beyond his on-court success, Bowes was known for his impact on the game’s culture: teaching athletes not just how to compete, but also how to carry themselves with dignity, respect and courage — values he championed both on and off the court.

In recognition of his impact on the sport, Bowes was inducted into the Wheelchair Basketball Canada Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024, a testament to his legacy as a coach, builder, mentor and friend to generations of athletes.

“Paul was a pillar of the wheelchair basketball community and his loss is profoundly felt,” said Wheelchair Basketball Canada CEO Wendy Gittens. “His dedication and leadership helped shape our sport. Paul will be remembered not only for what he achieved on the court but for the impact he had on the community.”