History of the BCWSA The first prominent evidence of wheelchair sports in British Columbia was during the 1950's when the Dueck Powerglides men's wheelchair basketball team was formed. In 1967 the BC Wheelchair Sports and Recreation Association (BCWSRA) was organized to support wheelchair athletes attending the Pan American Wheelchair Games in Winnipeg. In 1971 the BCWSRA became an official registered society, and in 1975 the federal and provincial governments gave significant financial support to the Association. BCWSRA introduced the Demo Team Program to schools, focusing on creating awareness and promoting a positive attitude toward people with disabilities and hosted the first provincial games for wheelchair athletes during the 70's. The first major sporting award for a wheelchair athlete came in 1972 when wheelchair track and field athlete, Eugene Reimer was named Canada's Male Athlete of the Year. Under the name of Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association - BC Division (CWSA - BC), wheelchair athletes were entered into the BC Games for the first time in the 1980's and were included as a demonstration sport in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. During 1984 Rick Hansen began the two year Man in Motion World Tour creating a greater awareness of wheelchair athletes around the world. The association changed its name to BC Wheelchair Sports Association (BCWSA) in 1996 and has created partnerships with agencies such as Tennis BC, BC Athletics, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre and Spina Bifida Association. BCWSA has implemented a Wheelchair Loan Program and developed an exciting recruitment initiative, Bridging the Gap. Today BC Wheelchair Sports supports and develops eight core sports: Athletics Basketball Curling Floor Hockey Powersoccer Rugby Target Sports Tennis In three decades BCWSA has become one of the largest wheelchair sports associations in Canada, with inclusion in major national and international games expanding to such high profile arenas as the Canada Summer Games, the Winter Games, the Commonwealth Games, the Olympic Games, and the Paralympic Games.