(Ottawa, Ont.) Wheelchair Basketball Canada is pleased to congratulate Paralympian Erica Gavel on her election to the Canadian Paralympic Athletes’ Council. The native of Prince Albert, Sask. was elected to serve a second term on the council on Wednesday.
A member of the Canadian Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team since 2014, Gavel represented Canada at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. She most recently helped Team Canada to a gold medal last year at the Parapan Am Games, which qualified Canada for the Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
Humbled and honoured! Thanks to the people who selected me – I really appreciate it a lot!!! Excited to help improve the quality of sporting experiences for para-sport athletes’ in Canada 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 #TeamCanada https://t.co/FBnV0Jfcl9
— Erica Gavel (@EricaGavel) December 9, 2020
A PhD student and avid researcher, Gavel is also a member of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) Athlete Steering Committee as the representative for the Americas zone.
“I am elated to be selected to the Athletes’ Council once again and thank the people who selected me,” said Gavel. “To be a part of the council is a tremendous honour and privilege, and I am so grateful to be involved for another four years. I am really proud of the relationship between the Athletes’ Council, CPC administrative staff, and respective stakeholders. To have a strong council is pertinent when making decisions as they directly impact the athletes. I look forward to helping improve the quality of sporting experiences for Para sport athletes in Canada.”
Gavel was elected alongside Ina Forrest (wheelchair curling) and Mike Whitehead (wheelchair rugby). They join incumbent members Rob Armstrong (Para ice hockey), Jennifer Brown (Para athletics), Alison Levine (boccia), and chair Tony Walby (Para judo), all of whom are halfway through their four-year terms.
Voting for the Athletes’ Council took place over the past month, with eligible athletes – those who competed in the last four Paralympic Games – voting to select their new representatives. Elections take place every two years, with terms lasting four years.
The Canadian Paralympic Athletes’ Council is an elected group of current and retired Paralympians who serve as the collective voice of the athletes. For more information on the Athletes’ Council, please visit paralympic.ca/athletes-council.