MEDIA RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wheel Dance, Canada Dancesport and Ontario Dancesport Awarded Generous Grow Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation
Toronto, ON – Wheel Dance is thrilled to announce the receipt of a Collaborative Grow Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) in support of Para DanceSport in Ontario and Canada. The $267,500 grant awarded to Wheel Dance, Canada DanceSport (CDS) and Ontario DanceSport (ODS) over 36 months will be used to develop an internationally recognized Para DanceSport program for all ages.
The OTF Grow Grant marks a major milestone for Para DanceSport provincially and nationally, and its impact has already been felt. Within the first six months, the grant has supported the further training and international certification of Wheel Dance’s National Head of Classification, Dr. Sivakumar Gulasingam. Upon successful completion he became the first International Paralympic Committee (IPC) sanctioned international Para DanceSport Classifier for both North and South America.
As the sole nationally recognized body for competitive Para DanceSport, Wheel Dance provides the only pathway for Canadian athletes to compete at future Paralympic-level Para DanceSport events. Wheel Dance is proud to be training dancers, instructors and classifiers, as well as organizing competitions and workshops, thereby building the infrastructure and governance of the sport from the ground up.
Wheel Dance, CDS, and ODS will be recognizing the OTF at the Third Annual Canadian Para DanceSport Competition and Showcase at the Ontario Open DanceSport Championships on Saturday October 20, 2018 at the Thornhill Community Centre (7755 Bayview Avenue, Thornhill). The event is unique to Canada and North America and will feature competitive Para DanceSport as well as showcase performances by Canadian participants. The Ontario Open Championships are a full day and evening of amateur DanceSport competitions. Para DanceSport events are scheduled between 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Distinguished guests will include MPP Logan Kanapathi and Mayor Frank Scarpitti for the City of Markham.
Dr. Iris Kulbatski, Founder and Executive Director of Wheel Dance says: “The receipt of this grant is a testament to the power of collaboration. Wheel Dance, CDS, and ODS will support the growth and development of Para DanceSport in Ontario, specifically York Region, with a broader impact nationally given our established role as leaders. The collaborative is ideally aligned to lead the pursuit of excellence, eliminate barriers to participation, and foster an active lifestyle for people of all ages and abilities.”
Wheel Dance invites the media and public to join us on October 20th as we celebrate the receipt of this grant and share the excitement as competitive Para DanceSport continues to break ground in Canada!
Contact: Dr. Iris Kulbatski
Executive Director, Wheel Dance
Tel: 647-297-3198
wheeldance@outlook.com
www.facebook.com/wheeldance
www.wheeldance.ca
About Wheel Dance
Wheel Dance is a federally incorporated Canadian non-profit that provides subsidized social and competitive wheelchair ballroom and Latin dance classes to wheelchair users and their friends, family, and community members. As an Associate Member of Canada DanceSport, Wheel Dance is the National body for Wheelchair DanceSport in Canada recognized by Canada DanceSport and the World DanceSport Federation. Wheel Dance is also an official Partner of ParaSport® Ontario.
About the Ontario Trillium Foundation
A leading grantmaker in Canada, the OTF strengthens the capacity of the voluntary sector through investments in community-based initiatives. An agency of the Government of Ontario, OTF builds healthy and vibrant communities. For more information, please contact: www.otf.ca
About Ontario DanceSport
Ontario DanceSport (ODS) is a non-profit Canadian organization dedicated to the promotion of competitive DanceSport among Canadian dancers of all age categories in Ontario and as well as the rest of Canada. Our mission is to increase awareness of and participation in DanceSport in Ontario, Canada, and worldwide. ODS runs three major competitions every year- the Ontario Open (held in the fall), the Ontario Closed (in the winter), which is the provincial championships, and Champions of Tomorrow (held in late spring).
About Canada DanceSport
Canada DanceSport (CDS) is a non-profit Canadian organization and the only official body that regulates DanceSport throughout Canada. It is recognized by the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and is a member of the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF). CDS has 4 Regional member Associations- DanceSport BC (DSBC), DanceSport Alberta (DSAB) Ontario DanceSport (ODS), DanceSport Quebec (DSQ), a Professional Division (CDS-PD), and an Associate member – Wheel Dance. CDS provides rules for all DanceSport activities of its member associations, publishes and disseminates information concerning DanceSport, recognizes competitions held by its members in Canada, and sends athletes to WDSF World Championships, WDSF World Cups, and WDSF recognized competitions.