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ParaSport® Ontario Play to Podium Fund

Providing people with disabilities in Ontario the adapted sports equipment they need to participate and thrive!

Play to Podium Fund 2025

A message from James Murphy, Executive Director:

We are honoured to have awarded over $900,000 in adapted equipment to individuals with disabilities and programs across Ontario over the past eight years.

Although these are impactful numbers, at the same time, there are still many applications and equipment barriers to participation that exist where ParaSport Ontario does not have the capacity to meet the full demand across Ontario.

The 2024-25 grant applications and total requested equipment value exceeded $600,000 from people and community groups across the province! The Play to Podium Fund was proudly able to fund $150,000 in adapted equipment donated, but as you can see, it is only a fraction of the need in the parasport community.

For this next 2025-26 grant application window, we expect the need to be even greater than previous years as adapted equipment costs continue to impose barriers for participation across the spectrum of parasport opportunities.

With your help, we will continue to strive to meet this demand and support as many people with disabilities as possible to have the chance to participate and thrive!


Play to Podium Fund
$39,885.00 Raised: $250,000.00 Goal:
$

Apply for a Play to Podium Fund Grant Here

Grant Applications Open:
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Step 1 - Join (it's free)
Step 2 - Log In
Step 3 - Apply For a Grant

Play to Podium FAQs

What is eligible for a grant?
Any and all adapted sports equipment can be requested, explaining details and need. (Ie. Sport wheelchairs, sledge hockey equipment, Nordic/alpine skiing equipment, Bocce Sets, running blades, etc.)
How do I apply for a grant?
Fill in the application form, and send it in. Only fully completed applications can be accepted.
When do I apply for a grant?
You can apply at any time during the open periods. Our grants are awarded on a varied schedule. Check for those dates on your Member dashboard.
Who is eligible for a grant?
Individuals and clubs, schools and community centres, are eligible to receive equipment through the Fund. Where there is a need for adaptive sports equipment to get someone in the game, we try to help.
When are grants awarded?
See the Grant Details and dates section
When I donate, where does my money go?
It stays in your community. ParaSport® Ontario uses the Play to Podium Fund to make equipment purchases for recipients. You can even call or email us to donate to specific types of equipment like a para ice hockey sledge or racing wheelchair if you choose.
How do I sponsor a specific piece of equipment?
Make note in the comments areas for your donation if there is a specific piece of equipment or parasport you would like to donate to support and if it's for a specific person or club and we'll make it happen.
How do I sponsor a league or athlete?
Connect with us here, and we'll contact you as soon as possible with more information!
How else does ParaSport® Ontario help?
The Fund helps us dedicate resources to finding para-athletes a coach, club or team to get back into their game. ParaSport® Ontario also provides training with the equipment donated through the fund to ensure usage and quality programming is provided.
Can I donate on behalf of my business?
Business donations are more than welcome! We can also work with your company to develop branded sponsorships and athlete promotions.

$900,000

Donated to Date
With the help of our Sponsors and Donors, over the past seven years ParaSport® Ontario's Play to Podium Fund has donated over $900,000 in adaptive sports equipment to disabled Ontarians.

Hisham

Hisham is a wheelchair athlete who was granted a new sport wheelchair through the Play to Podium Fund to help him continue his growth competitively in the sport of wheelchair tennis. Previously playing in an old wheelchair that he had outgrown, Hisham says his new tennis wheelchair from Sunrise Medical “immediately impacted his performance thanks to its quality, light technology and compatibility for the sport.”

Alec

Alec has been part of the Peterborough Curling Club as a wheelchair curler since 2011. At the time there was only one other wheelchair curler at the club. Now, through his dedicated recruiting work, the program has gown to include 11 wheelchair curlers.With the donation of the delivery sticks from ParaSport Ontario’s Play to Podium Fund, wheelchair curlers no longer need to share equipment with others during the twice-a-week Learn to Curl program.

Loretta and Jim Davis

Loretta and Jim were granted CheelCare Companions, a power-assisted device for manual wheelchairs. The couple has been instrumental to the growth of the Brock Niagara Penguins, a parasport club, for over 15 years. Jim is currently the boccia and handcycling coach, while Loretta is the club’s coordinator. Additionally, Jim coaches the first-ever Volt hockey team in association with the Niagara Children’s Centre.

Kenora Torpedoes

Founded 2in 018 by two families who were making the 400-kilometre-round-trip drive to Winnipeg so their daughters, who have cerebral palsy, could play an adaptive sport. It took three years to launch the team, and often they were the only two families on the ice. Undeterred, the team expanded and is now under the governance of Lake of the Woods Minor Hockey Association. It welcomed 12 registrants this past year, players of all abilities aged 8-18 years old.

Who is Next?

There are thousands of disabled people in Ontario who just need a little help to participate. A sledge hockey setup is around $1000.00, a bowling ramp is a few hundred dollars. Your support will change this photo to another happy recipient.

For Perspective

Some of our most requested items and their approximate prices.

Para Ice Hockey Setup: $1500+

Boccia Setup: $1200+

Sports Chair: $7500 +

Running Blade: $20,000+

Handcycle - $10,000+

For some, the desire to play basketball comes with the need of a sports wheelchair. Playing hockey… a para ice sled. Biking with friends… a handcycle. Sprinting around a track… a racing wheelchair. Boccia… a special ball ramp. That’s exactly what our Play to Podium Fund does. With your support we get people with a disability the equipment they need to get in the game for fun, fitness and friendships.
Become a Sponsor