WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL CANADA CONGRATULATES MAUREEN ORCHARD ON HER RETIREMENT AS PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL FEDERATION

(July 15, 2014 - OTTAWA, ONT.) - Wheelchair Basketball Canada extends its heartfelt congratulations to Maureen Orchard on her distinguished career as she retires as president of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF). Orchard will remain involved with the international game after her re-appointment as secretary general at the 2014 IWBF World Congress in Incheon, South Korea.

“Maureen is a true pioneer and we sincerely congratulate her on an outstanding career,” said Wheelchair Basketball Canada Executive Director Wendy Gittens. “Through her tireless leadership Maureen has been a driving force behind the international growth and development of wheelchair basketball, and we commend her for her unparalleled contributions to the sport both in Canada and abroad.”

Orchard, a native of Winnipeg, Man., served as the president of the IWBF since 2002. In that role she has championed development within the international zones and enhanced opportunities for junior athletes and women around the world.

She also served as president of the Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Association (CWBA) – now Wheelchair Basketball Canada – from 1993 to 1998. She was inducted into the CWBA Hall of Fame as a builder in 1998.

As a lifelong volunteer, Orchard has taken on many leadership roles within the basketball community, serving as president, vice-president, treasurer, director, coach and referee for a number of key sport organizations, including the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association, the CWBA, the Canadian Paralympic Committee, Canada Basketball, Basketball Manitoba, and FIBA.

About the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation

The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) is a non-profit international organization whose purpose is to provide opportunities for persons with a disability to play the game of wheelchair basketball. For more information about the IWBF, please visitwww.iwbf.org.

About Wheelchair Basketball Canada

Wheelchair Basketball Canada is the national sports governing body responsible for the organization of the sport in Canada. It is a non-profit, charitable organization that is committed to excellence in the development, support and promotion of wheelchair basketball programs and services for all Canadians from grassroots to high performance. Wheelchair basketball is a fast-paced, hard-hitting, competitive sport in which Canada is held in high esteem around the world for winning a combined six gold, one silver, and one bronze medal in the last six Paralympic Games.

For more information visit: www.wheelchairbasketball.ca

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