Melanie Stare, Coach
Hometown: Saskatoon
Melanie participated in both the 1995 and 1999 Canada Winter Games as a wheelchair basketball athlete, and this will be her first Games as a coach. Melanie was also a member of the silver medal team at the 1999 Women's National Wheelchair Basketball Championships. Melanie is very confident that this team will fair well at this year's Games.
Rob Sajtos, Coach
Hometown: Saskatoon
This is Rob's first trip to a Canada Winter Games, and he is excited to be a part of it. Currently a member of Club 99, Rob enjoys preparing his team for major competitions. When he isn't involved with wheelchair basketball, Rob also enjoys cycling and water-skiing.
Chris Clark, Manager
Hometown: Saskatoon
This will be Christ's second trip to a Canada Winter Games as he competed as an athlete at the 1999 Canada Winter Games. He enjoys working with young athletes and hopes to help each of them in reaching their athletic goals. In his spare time, Christ also likes to cook and play soccer.
Michael Bennet, 23
Hometown: Saskatoon
Michael brings his teammates a great deal of experience, having already competed at the 1995 and 1999 Canada Winter Games in wheelchair basketball. A member of Club 99 in Saskatoon, Michael plans to work hard and achieve some good results while at the Games. When he isn't on the court playing wheelchair basketball, Michael also enjoys reading.
Joelle Buckle, 21
Hometown: Bruno
An all-around athlete, Joelle competed at the 1997 Canada Summer Games and 1999 Western Canada Summer Games in track and field events, as well as the 1999 Canada Winter Games for wheelchair basketball. She enjoys keeping physically and mentally fit by being involved with all types of sports. Joelle looks forward to improving her wheelchair basketball skills, meeting new people and having fun at this year's Games.
Ken Budd, 21
Hometown: Saskatoon
Ken competed in track and field events at the 1997 Canada Summer Games, and attended the 2001 Junior National Championships for wheelchair basketball. He is currently a member of Club 99 in Saskatoon, and he is looking forward to a new and fun experience at this year's Games.
Liam Clancy, 21
Hometown: Saskatoon
A diverse athlete, Liam has had success as a curler, winning gold and silver medals with the Air Cadets. Fairly new to wheelchair basketball, Liam hopes to learn a lot from his teammates and competitors while at the Games. When his isn't playing wheelchair basketball or curling, Liam also enjoys playing rugby.
Andrew Douglas, 22
Residence: Moose Jaw
Andrew has been playing wheelchair basketball for two years and he is excited to be representing Saskatchewan at his first Canada Winter Games. A confessed superstitious athlete, he is confident that he and his teammates are in strong contention for the gold medal. Andrew's hobbies include playing volleyball, soccer and acting as a volunteer tutor.
Lisa Franks, 20
Hometown: Moose Jaw
Lisa's list of athletic achievements is long. Some of her accomplishments include competing at the 1997 Canada Summer Games in the wheelchair racing track and field events and the 1999 Canada Winter Games for wheelchair basketball. She was named the Saskatchewan Youth Athlete of the Year in 1998 and 1999, the Saskatchewan Female Athlete of the Year in 2000, and the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Female Athlete of the Year in 2000. Lisa currently holds three world records for wheelchair racing and won four gold and one silver medal at the 2000 Paralympics.
Julian Gaudet, 22
Hometown: Bellevue
Julian is very active in a number of sports and activities. He was a member of the 2002 provincial wheelchair rugby team, and is constantly involved with wheelchair track and field events, swimming and tennis. Julian is joined by his cousins, Liam Clancy and Ryan Gaudet who are also members of Saskatchewan's wheelchair basketball team. Julian looks forward to learning a lot at this year's Games and going home an even better athlete.
Ryan Gaudet, 23
Residence: Saskatoon
Along side his cousins Liam Clancy and Julian Gaudet who are also members of the wheelchair basketball team, Ryan is excited to be competing at his first Canada Winter Games. A well-rounded athlete, Ryan won a bronze medal at the Provincial Golf Championships. In his spare time, Ryan especially enjoys woodworking.
Jen Mitchelmore, 18
Hometown: Saskatoon
Jen has accumulated a great deal of Games experience having competed at the 2001 Canada Summer Games and 1999 Western Canada Games in track and field, and the 1999 Canada Winter Games for wheelchair basketball. She was also a member of the National Women's Wheelchair basketball team for two years, winning a silver medal in 2000. Jen plans to work hard, have fun and enjoys this year's Games.
Pete Wright, 20
Hometown: Saskatoon
Pete brings his teammates much experience having competed at the 1997 Canada Summer Games in wheelchair racing and the 1999 Canada Winter Games in wheelchair basketball. A multi-sport athlete, Pete also competed at the 2001 U.S. Open National Sit Skiing Championships where he placed first in the 5 kilometre men's event. When Pete isn't busy with sports, he also enjoys listening to music.
Matt Yausie, 19
Hometown: Saskatoon
Competing at his first Canada Winter Games, Matt looks forward to meeting new people and playing the best basketball he can. An all-around athlete, Matt also excels in football. He was a member of the two-time CJFL Championship team - the Saskatoon Hilltops. In his spare time Matt also enjoys videogames and listening to music.
