Eight athletes chosen to represent Canada
OTTAWA, ON - (2026 - 06 - 17) – Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC) and Wheelchair Basketball Canada are proud to announce the athletes who will represent Team Canada in 3x3 wheelchair basketball at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, taking place July 23 to August 2, 2026.
The women’s roster features two athletes with prior Commonwealth Games experience: Kady Dandeneau and Élodie Tessier, both of whom helped Canada capture gold at the 2022 Games and the 2025 IWBF 3x3 Open World Championships.
On the men’s side, Garrett Ostepchuk and Lee Melymick return after playing key roles in Canada’s gold-medal performance at the 2025 IWBF 3x3 Open World Championships.
“Canada has established itself as one of the world's leading nations in 3x3 wheelchair basketball, and this team reflects the strength, depth, and competitive spirit of our high-performance para sport system,” said Kelly Laframboise, Director, Team Canada 2026. “With returning Commonwealth Games champions, world champions, and exciting new talent, these athletes have earned the opportunity to represent Canada on one of sport's biggest stages. We know they will inspire Canadians with their determination, resilience, and pursuit of excellence in Glasgow.”
Women’s Team:
Led by defending Commonwealth Games gold medalists Dandeneau (Pender Island, B.C.) and Tessier (Saint-Germain-de-Grantham, QC), the women’s roster also features Puisand Lai (Toronto, ON) and Rosie Long (Oakville, ON). Dandeneau, Tessier and Lai were part of the Team Canada squad that captured gold at the 2025 IWBF 3x3 Open World Championships.
A mainstay with the Senior Women’s National Team, Dandeneau has also established herself as one of the sport’s top 3x3 players, earning tournament MVP honours at the inaugural IWBF 3x3 Open World Championships last August.
"Winning gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 was a special moment for our team, and we're excited for the opportunity to compete on that stage again,” said Dandeneau. “We've built strong chemistry through our experiences together, and we're looking forward to representing Canada with pride in Glasgow."
Men’s Team:
The men’s squad is led by Garrett Ostepchuk (Regina, SK) and Lee Melymick (Toronto, ON), who helped Canada capture gold at the 2025 IWBF 3x3 Open World Championships.
Joining them are Reed De’Aeth (Sherwood Park, AB) and Kyrell Sopotyk (Aberdeen, SK), both of whom will make their 3x3 debuts in Glasgow.
Melymick brings a wealth of international experience to the roster, having represented Canada for more than eight years. His resume includes appearances at the World Championships, Parapan American Games and Paralympic Games, providing veteran leadership to the squad.
"Any time you have the opportunity to represent Canada, it's an incredible honour,” Melymick said. “We have a great mix of experience and young talent on this team, and we're excited for the challenge ahead. Our focus is on playing our game, competing hard and making Canada proud."
The 3x3 wheelchair basketball teams are aiming to remain on the podium in Glasgow, building on their gold (women’s) and silver (men’s) medal finishes from Birmingham in 2022.
The 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball competition at the 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow from July 24-29.
Glasgow 2026 will include 10 sports, including six Parasports. The Commonwealth Games are the only multi-sport event that features equal standing for sport and para-sport events. Up to 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories from across the Commonwealth will compete at the 2026 Commonwealth Games over 11 days of competition across the city of Glasgow.
The 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball Team which will represent Canada at the Glasgow 2026 Games includes:
Female Athletes:
| First | Last | Hometown | Previous Commonwealth Games |
| Kady | Dandeneau | Pender Island, B.C. | Birmingham 2022 - Gold |
| Élodie | Tessier | Saint-Germain-de-Grantham, QC | Birmingham 2022 - Gold |
| Puisand | Lai | Toronto, ON | |
| Rosie | Long | Oakville, ON |
Male Athletes :
| First | Last | Hometown | Previous Commonwealth Games |
| Garrett | Ostepchuk | Regina, SK | |
| Lee | Melymick | Toronto, ON | |
| Kyrell | Sopotyk | Aberdeen, SK | |
| Reed | De’Aeth | Sherwood Park, AB |
Coaches:
| Position | First | Last | Hometown |
| Women’s Coach | Craig | Campbell | Coburg, Australia |
| Men’s Coach | Jared | Sajtos | Regina, SK |
| Team Leader | Hailey | Roll | Mississauga, ON |
| Physiotherapist | Nathan | Cory | London, ON |
ABOUT TEAM CANADA 2026
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will bring together 74 nations and territories in a celebration of sport, culture, and community. Team Canada will once again compete with pride, unity, and determination on the global stage on this important path to Olympic and Paralympic success. Team Canada will feature 148 athletes, including one guide, 81 team officials and 20 mission staff. Canada’s performance projection in 2026 is a top three ranking, in total medals, amongst all nations and territories competing. Team Canada’s dedicated mission team will provide an optimal environment by celebrating equality, diversity, and non-discrimination. This is in support of our goals needed to enable a best ever performance by Canadian athletes at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
About Wheelchair Basketball Canada
Wheelchair Basketball Canada (WBC) is the national sports governing body responsible for the organization of the sport in Canada. It is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to excellence in developing, supporting, and promoting wheelchair basketball programs and services from grassroots to high performance for all Canadians. Wheelchair basketball is a fast-paced, hard-hitting, competitive sport in which Canada is held in high esteem worldwide for winning six gold, one silver, and one bronze medal over the last nine Paralympic Games. WBC will host the 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships from September 9-19, 2026.
For more information on WBC, please visit Wheelchairbasketball.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
ABOUT COMMONWEALTH SPORT CANADA
Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC) is the franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and the Commonwealth sport movement in Canada. CSC supports Canada’s athletes to achieve excellence at Olympic and Paralympic Games and world championships and enriches the lives of youth across the Commonwealth and hosts the Commonwealth Games. For additional information go to: www.commonwealthsport.ca .
For more information, please contact:
Dhiren Mahiban
Communications & Digital Media Manager - Wheelchair Basketball Canada
Email: [email protected]
(416) 574-6682
Caroline Sharp
Media Attaché - 3X3
Email: [email protected]
(613) 323-5605
Patrick Kenny
Communications Team Leader – Team Canada 2026
Email: [email protected]
(613) 724-7160
