Sports

Boccia is a sport originally designed for athletes with severe cerebral palsy, but is now enjoyed by athletes with various abilities. It’s a co-ed game of control and accuracy, similar to curling, where players propel balls towards a target, or “jack” ball. The closest ball to the jack scores. Players can throw, roll, kick, or use a ramp and/or head pointer if needed. Played indoors, boccia demands precision, focus, coordination, and strategy. The Ontario Cerebral Palsy Sports Association is the governing body in Ontario. Learn more at ocpsa.ca.

Curling (Wheelchair & Vision Impaired) follows the same four‑player format with adaptations: a designated sweeper and a guide assist with alignment and shot communication. Events use a classification system for visual acuity to ensure fair competition. Curling Ontario, along with the Northern Ontario Curling Association (NOCA) and the Ontario Curling Council, is the governing body in Ontario. Learn more at curlingontario.ca.

From opposite ends of the court, each 3v3 team takes turns hurling the ball across the court to score into the opposition's 9-metre net. Players wear opaque goggles to ensure a level playing field as they listen for the ball, dive to block it, and throw it back. The ball has bells in it so players can track it while tactile tape on the floor lets players know their location on the court. Goalball is a fast-paced game, and the only Paralympic sport specifically designed for people with a visual impairment. The Ontario Blind Sports Association (OBSA) is the recognized governing body for the sport of Goalball in Ontario.

Para alpine skiing is an adapted version of alpine (downhill) skiing for athletes with physical disabilities or vision impairments. Competitors race down snow-covered slopes, combining speed, technical skill, balance, and precision. Alpine Ontario is the recognized governing body for the sport of Para Alpine in Ontario, in partnership with Canadian Adaptive Snowsports Ontario (CADS Ontario).

Para Ice Hockey follows the same rules and structure as ice hockey. Players balance on a sledge consisting of a metal frame with a “bucket” mounted on top, and two regular skate blades attached under the bucket in which the player sits. Players manoeuvre themselves using two specially constructed hockey sticks which have picks on one end to allow the player to propel the sledge. A game that is already famed for its speed and great teamwork is a popular parasport for all, and for fans too. The Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) is the recognized governing body for the sport of Para Ice Hockey in Ontario, in partnership with the Ontario Sledge Hockey Association (OSHA).

Para Karate is focused on developing the ancient discipline of “kata”, a Japanese word meaning “form”, for wheelchair athletes, visually impaired athletes, and athletes with intellectual disabilities. Kata refers to a choreographed pattern of martial arts movements. Karate Ontario is the governing body for para karate in Ontario. Learn more at karateontario.ca.

Para swimming is competitive swimming for persons with impairments and includes individuals with physical, visual and intellectual impairments. There are currently 14 officially recognized classifications within the Canadian swimming system. Swimmers with physical impairments compete in classes S1 to S10; Visual impairments compete in classes S11, S12 or S13; Swimmers with intellectual impairments compete in the S14 class. Swim Ontario is the recognized governing body for the sport of Para Swimming in Ontario.

In sitting volleyball, players must keep contact with the floor at all times except when making a defensive play in the back or front zones. The game is played the same way as traditional volleyball, only the court is a little smaller and the net is lower, which makes for a fun and fast game. The Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA) is the recognized governing body for the sport of Sitting Volleyball in Ontario.

Wheelchair Basketball is a fun, fast-paced, exciting, and strategic sport. It is a fully inclusive sport in Ontario, with able-bodied athletes permitted to compete at the provincial level. Mixed-gender teams are also common among club teams. The rules are very similar to stand-up or able-bodied basketball. The Ontario Para Network (ONPARA) is the recognized governing body for the sport of Wheelchair Basketball in Ontario.

Wheelchair rugby is one of the most unique wheelchair sports because it is only played by athletes with four limb impairments. Each team consists of four players who carry or pass the ball until they score by crossing the opposition’s goal line. The game combines many of the strategies and skills employed in basketball, rugby and hockey. The Ontario Para Network (ONPARA) is the recognized governing body for the sport of Wheelchair Rugby in Ontario.