Media Advisory/Photo Opportunity - Canadian Paralympic Committee and Para NB invite media and public to experience the first-ever Parasport Festival in New Brunswick

Come try adapted sports, meet medallists and learn how to get involved!

MONCTON, Nov. 27, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Paralympic Committee, in partnership with Para NB - Sport & Recreation, will host New Brunswick's first-ever Parasport Festival on Saturday, December 1 at l'Université de Moncton and invites both the media and public to come play sledge hockey, wheelchair rugby, hand cycling, goalball and more!

A total of 16 different parasports will be onsite for all to experience.

Meet Paralympic athletes, Dave Durepos, Hal Merrill and Sabrina Durepos, get autographs and see how they apply their athletic skills to earn gold medals for Canada! Discover opportunities to get involved - whether as an athlete, coach, parent, volunteer or fan. All activities are free and open to everyone.

"This Festival is a great opportunity to ensure more Canadians with a disability are aware of the opportunities out there for them to be physically active," said Henry Storgaard, CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. "We're delighted to partner with Para NB to present this pioneering event in Moncton and we invite everyone to come out and experience the fun of parasport."

WHAT:
A Parasport Festival: Learn about and try a variety of parasports!
Check out the "Equipment 101" section showcasing adapted sports equipment.

WHEN & WHERE:
Saturday, December 1, 2012: 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.
CEPS Louis-J-Robichaud, 18 avenue Antonine-Maillet, Université de Moncton

HOW:
To register, please contact Courtenay Brennan at 1.866.462.9555 or [email protected]. Or simply drop by the event.

MEDIA CONTACT ONSITE: Laura Ferris, Canadian Paralympic Committee. Cell : 613-298-1195

For more information, please visit www.Paralympic.ca/festival9yt  .

Paralympic athletes attending:

• David Durepos: Wheelchair Basketball gold medallist, London 2012 Paralympic Games. A four-time Paralympian with three gold and one silver Paralympic medals overall;
• Sabrina Durepos: Wheelchair Basketball player and three-time Paralympian, won gold in 1996 and 2000, and bronze in 2004;
• Hal Merrill: a three-time Athletics Paralympian in javelin, shot put and discus; a triple bronze medallist from Sydney 2000, Atlanta 1996 and Barcelona 1992.

Volunteers, Coaches, Athletes and Administrators from: Para-Athletics NB, Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association NB (Boccia), Swimming NB, NB Alpine, CADS, Ski Cross-Country NB Inc., Tennis NB, NB Wheelchair Rugby Team, NB Goalball team, Thistle St. Andrew's Wheelchair Curling, Ability Golf Program, Able Sail, Vélo NB, NS Wheelchair Table Tennis group, Rowing NB, Easter Seals Abilities Program (sledge hockey), NB Wheelchair basketball and Shining Horizons Therapeutic Riding Association.

About Para NB

Para NB is a new program in New Brunswick. It is a partnership of Ability NB, Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic, Recreation NB and Sport NB. The program involves working with persons with a physical disability, Provincial Sport Organizations (PSOs), disability organizations, recreation organizations and facilities to build capacity and lead the development and coordination of a system that engages New Brunswickers with physical disabilities in para sport and recreation. Primary target populations are New Brunswickers with a physical disability, sport and recreation organizations, and leaders and coaches.

Follow Para NB - Sport & Recreation:
www.facebook.com/ParaNBSportRecreation
www.twitter.com/ParaNBSportRec
www.youtube.com/ParaNewBrunswick

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee

The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 46 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic movement. The Canadian Paralympic Committee's vision is to be the world's leading Paralympic nation. Its mission is to lead the development of a sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games. By supporting Canadian Paralympic athletes and promoting their success, the Canadian Paralympic Committee inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organizations. For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca.

Follow the Canadian Paralympic Committee:

www.paralympic.ca
www.facebook.com/CDNParalympics
www.twitter.com/CDNParalympics
www.youtube.com/CDNParalympics

SOURCE: CANADIAN PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE (CPC)

please contact:

Alison Korn
Manager, Media Relations
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Tel: [phone] x243
Cell: 613-298-4927
[email protected]

Laura Ferris
Coordinator, Recruitment Program Support
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Phone: [phone] x233
Cell: 613-298-1195
[email protected]

Courtenay Brennan
Coordinator/ Coordonnatrice
Para NB - Sport & Recreation / Para NB - Sport & loisirs
Ability New Brunswick Inc. / Capacité Nouveau-Brunswick Inc.
Tel./tél: [phone].462.9555
Cell: 506-461-1917
[email protected]