Parapan American Games gold medallist Kady Dandeneau has been honoured female athlete of the year by Wheelchair Basketball Canada at its annual awards.
Joanne MacDonald headlined the list of outstanding individuals honoured Saturday evening as the Hall of Fame and unveiled the winners of its annual awards. Lee Melymick received the Male Athlete of the Year Award. Canada Games athlete Reed De’Aeth was named the Junior Athlete of the Year.
While the current pandemic forced the cancellation of the WBC Awards and Hall of Fame banquet, which would have taken place April 18, the organization was nonetheless honoured to recognize the outstanding achievements of these individuals online on Saturday.
“Congratulations to all of the award winners and we are absolutely thrilled to welcome Joanne into the WBC Hall of Fame,” said Steve Bach, President of Wheelchair Basketball Canada.
“I am deeply honoured and indeed humbled to be receiving this award,” said MacDonald.
“Growing up the idea of sport was never on my agenda. In my era, with a disability you were actively discouraged from participating in sports. We’d hear comments like ‘You might get hurt’ or “You can’t do that’. However, once I sat in that wheelchair and picked up a basketball, it was love at first dribble.”
An Officer of the Order of Canada, she dedicated much of her life to advocating to improve accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities.
“It’s a huge honour,” said Dandeneau
“It’s such an honour to be recognized for all the work I’ve done and amazing accomplishments I’ve been a part of,” said Melymick.
