Courtesy: Wheelchair Basketball Canada
Tokyo Paralympics

UNBC Alumni Kady Dandeneau readying for Paralympics in Tokyo

Jul 27, 2021 | 6:11 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Kady Dandeneau is no stranger to sporting the Maple Leaf at the international stage. But what will be a completely new experience for the 31-year-old is representing Canada at the Paralympics in Tokyo.

The former UNBC Timberwolf was named to the Canadian paralympic team last week and is gearing up to head to Tokyo in a few weeks.

“It’s just an honour to get the opportunity. For most athletes, this is something they dream about. It’s that dream coming true,” said Dandeneau in a Zoom interview with CKPGToday.ca.

Dandeneau played for UNBC from 2007-2013, however, an on-court injury put an end to her stand-up basketball career. When she was done as a Timberwolf, she was a two-time BCCAA Provincial Champion, two-time BCCAA All-star, and All-Star at the National level. Due to injuries bringing what she believed was an end to her playing days, she felt at a loss, unaware at the time that there were alternatives.

“That kid came here and lived and breathed basketball. Injuries, they took the wind out of her sails a little bit but she still did the best she could possibly do. She was still an incredible basketball player. So it was really nice to see life after stand-up basketball with wheelchair basketball. I think it was a great transition for her,” said Loralyn Murdoch, the current Athletic Director at UNBC but was actually the one who recruited Dandeneau to UNBC.

Dandeneau says while being named to the Paralympic team has been a milestone accomplishment, she says this is merely just the beginning of what to expect out of her and her teammates in Tokyo.

“It was a lot of elation, but at the same time though it’s just the beginning. We’ve got a goal to achieve and this is just the start of it. We have got to stay focused. It’s exciting but we have work to do,” said Dandeneau.

The Paralympics get underway on August 24th and run through until September 5th.