Which Wheelchair Sports Does BC Wheelchair Sports Association Offer?

BC Wheelchair Sports Association (BCWSA) offers three core sports: Wheelchair Athletics (which includes wheelchair racing and seated throws), Wheelchair Tennis, and Wheelchair Rugby. If you are deciding which sport to try, the right starting point is to look at these three options and then match them against your interests, equipment needs, and competitive goals. BCWSA also runs introductory sessions, development programs, and tournaments around these sports, so you can begin at a recreational level or work toward national and international competition.

The Three Core Sports

BCWSA organizes its programming around three sports. Each has its own page on the association's site for learning about the sport in more detail.

Wheelchair Athletics

Wheelchair Athletics covers two disciplines:

• Wheelchair Racing — track and road racing in a specialized racing wheelchair.
• Seated Throws — field events performed from a seated position, such as throws.

This is the broadest of the three categories because it includes multiple event types under one sport.

Wheelchair Tennis

Wheelchair Tennis is played on a court and is one of BCWSA's core sports. BCWSA runs local, national, and international tennis tournaments, including the annual Vancouver International Wheelchair Tennis Tournament and the Kamloops Legacy Wheelchair Tennis Tournament.

Wheelchair Rugby

Wheelchair Rugby is a team sport and the third core sport. BCWSA hosts the Vancouver Invitational Wheelchair Rugby Tournament and the Canada Cup International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament, which is held biennially.

How to Choose Between Them

The three sports differ in format, equipment, and competitive structure. Use these dimensions to narrow your choice:

If you prefer an individual sport with multiple event types, athletics is the widest category. If you want a court sport, tennis is the direct option. If you want a team environment, rugby is the fit.

Trying a Sport Before Committing

BCWSA runs Have-A-Go Days, described as fun and inclusive introductory sessions where new participants can try sports with supportive BCWSA peers and coaches. This is the lowest-commitment way to sample a sport before choosing.

For those who want to continue, Development Programs provide weekly sport-specific and multi-sport programming for athletes of varying skill and experience levels, led by BCWSA coaches.

Equipment and Cost Considerations

BCWSA's Wheelchair Loan Program offers access to proper sports wheelchairs and equipment for athletes of all ages, sports, shapes, and sizes. Sport wheelchairs can be rented at a very low yearly or monthly rate, and support is available for those in financial need. BCWSA states it does not want financial barriers to leave anyone on the sidelines. If equipment cost is a concern, this program applies across the sports rather than to just one.

Competitive Pathway

BCWSA supports athletes at every stage, from introductory programs through to high-performance athlete and team support for those representing BC and/or Canada in national and international competitions. The three core sports all feed into this pathway, and BCWSA runs local, national, and international tournaments across them.

Getting Started

BCWSA's guidance is that every wheelchair sports journey starts with a "First Push," and it is never too early or too late to start. To begin:

1. Review the three core sports — Wheelchair Athletics, Wheelchair Tennis, and Wheelchair Rugby — on BCWSA's sport pages.
2. Attend a Have-A-Go Day to try a sport with peers and coaches.
3. If equipment is a barrier, ask about the Wheelchair Loan Program.
4. Move into Development Programs if you want regular, coached programming.

You can get involved as an athlete, coach, official, or volunteer, and BCWSA staff are available to help you start.