The Saskatchewan Wheelchair Sports Association (SWSA) was incorporated in 1977 by five of its founding members, to provide an opportunity for persons with a disability to lead an active lifestyle. Since then SWSA has evolved from an informal volunteer-based organization to an organized and professionally run Association with a highly skilled Board of Directors and Staff. Over the years our mandate has changed to that of “promoting sport, recreation, leisure, fitness training, and healthy lifestyle activities for individuals with mobility impairment”. In keeping with this change, SWSA supports many different areas of activities. Currently the involvement includes athletics, basketball, curling, rugby, sledge hockey, shooting, skiing and tennis, but the areas of canoe and kayaking, and water-skiing are being investigated. Our Association works with several national sport organizations in program delivery, such as Athletics Canada, Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association, Tennis Canada, and Wheelchair Basketball Canada. We also provide programs such as “Learn To Play” sport clinics, sport camps, coaching/officiating clinics and competitions. We have an awareness program that promotes injury prevention, focuses on ability rather than disability and promotes wheelchair sports. Over the past 35 years, the Saskatchewan Wheelchair Sports Association has provided sporting opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities at a provincial, national, and international level. Eleven athletes have represented Canada and the province at both summer and winter Paralympic games. Others have represented the country at World Championships, and our athletes have reached the podium in National archery, athletics, basketball, rugby, shooting and tennis events on numerous occasions throughout the years.
