News

Maureen Orchard Named Finalist for Volunteer Achievement Award

IWBF President  Maureen Orchard

(Ottawa, ON) – Wheelchair Basketball Canada congratulates Maureen Orchard, International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) President, and wheelchair basketball advocate, on being named a finalist for the 2009 Volunteer Achievement Award at the True Sport Foundation’s Canadian Sport Awards.

The Volunteer Achievement Award recognizes and celebrates an individual’s outstanding contributions to the betterment of sport. The Canadian Sport Awards are the ultimate recognition event for excellence in Canadian sport.

“Maureen’s tireless efforts have been instrumental in the growth and maturation of our sport worldwide,” said Wendy Gittens, Wheelchair Basketball Canada Executive Director. “She is a true pioneer whose passion and dedication as a volunteer are an inspiration to us all. We are very proud to see her efforts recognized.

Orchard is a full-time volunteer with over thirty years of experience. She has taken on many leadership roles, serving as president, vice president, treasurer, director, coach and referee for a number of key sport organizations including the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association, Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Association, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Canada Basketball, Basketball Manitoba, and FIBA.

In these roles Orchard has improved policy, strategy, constitution, internal regulations, and equipment standards for basketball and wheelchair basketball.  Her innovative efforts have been fundamental to how wheelchair basketball is organized and played in Canada and around the world. 

Most recently Orchard has served as the President of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation – a voluntary role that she fully leverages to dedicate countless hours to the development of the sport. During this time she has been the driving force behind significant international growth and in particular, has championed enhanced opportunities for juniors and women.

The Canadian Sport Awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at the Canadian Sport Centre Ontario in Toronto. A limited number of tickets to the awards/press conference are available.

About the Canadian Sport Awards

Established in 1972, the Canadian Sport Awards brings together leaders from the sporting and corporate communities who represent the pinnacle of commitment and competition: Canadian amateur athletes, coaches, sport leaders and volunteers. The annual award promotes sporting excellence across Canada, and reminds Canadians how sport lifts the human spirit. It is a tribute to the hard work, the dedication and the victories of our country’s finest athletes.

About the True Sport Foundation

The True Sport Foundation is a charitable organization committed to ensuring that sport makes a positive contribution to Canadian society. Managed by the Foundation, the Canadian Sport Awards boasts a strong relationship with its modern day founding partners, which include Athletes CAN, the Commonwealth Games Association of Canada, the Canada Games and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.  For more information about the Canadian Sport Awards, please visit www.canadiansportawards.ca.