Canada’s Harnock, Jewells, Lancia, McLachlan retire

The wheelchair basketball Paralympic and world champions decided it was time to hang up their jerseys. 27 Feb 2017
Imagen
A picture of a woman in a wheelchair shooting between two defenders during a wheelchair basketball match.

Janet McLachlan takes a shot at the hoop during the London 2012 Paralympic Games, where Canada finished sixth.

ⒸLieven Coudenys
By Wheelchair Basketball Canada

“It has been an honour and a privilege to put on the Canadian jersey for the last eight years and to be a part of such a historic programme.”

Paralympians and world champions Katie Harnock, Jamey Jewells, Adam Lancia and Janet McLachlan are hanging up their jerseys after announcing their retirements from the Canadian National Wheelchair Basketball Teams.

A multiple Paralympic medallist, Lancia dedicated 20 years to playing with the men’s national team programme. The veteran trio of women were all key contributors to the decorated history of the Canadian women’s programme, including propelling Team Canada to the top of the podium on home soil at the women’s World Championships in 2014 in Toronto, Canada.

“On behalf of Wheelchair Basketball Canada, I thank Adam, Katie, Jamey and Janet for their dedication to excellence and their many contributions to our sport and the national team programme,” said Wheelchair Basketball Canada Executive Director Wendy Gittens. “Our community congratulates them on their great basketball careers with Team Canada and wishes them much success in the next chapter of their lives.”

Lancia competed at four Paralympic Games and three World Championships since joining the senior men’s national team in 2001. He is a two-time Paralympic gold medallist from Athens 2004 and London 2012, as well as a silver medallist from Beijing 2008. He captured a World Championship crown in 2006 and a bronze medal in 2002.

“My story with the national team started with the first-ever junior World Championship and stretched all the way forward to the most recent Paralympics in Rio,” said Lancia. “Those 20 years spanned some drastic change in the sport and I'm glad to have been a part of it. I could never think of another way that I would have liked to have spent those 20 years. The friends I have made and lost, and the places and experiences shared with those friends who became my family are irreplaceable.”

Harnock leaves the international scene as a three-time Paralympian (2008, 2012 and 2016) and a two-time world champion (2006 and 2014) after making her debut for the senior women’s national team in 2006. A versatile shooter, she was a World Championship all-star in 2014 and also owns a World Championship bronze medal from 2010.

“It has been a distinct honour and pleasure to have been able to represent my country,” said Harnock. “I will forever be grateful to the friends, coaches and teammates I have met and made along the way, who continually pushed and supported me, and the rest of us, through the wonderful and crazy adventure that is international basketball. I wish both the men's and women's teams the very best of luck in what I am certain will be a very bright future.”

McLachlan established herself as one of the top players in the world as a dominant point producer and rebounder. She made her first appearance for Team Canada in 2008 and went on to compete at three Paralympics in 2008, 2012 and 2016. She captured gold and bronze medals at the World Championships in 2014 and 2010, respectively.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to put on the Canadian jersey for the last eight years and to be a part of such a historic programme,” said McLachlan. “It was a tough decision to make but the timing feels right. I will miss my teammates and staff, the fun and adventures we have had over the years and being a part of Team Canada.

Jewells first joined Team Canada in 2011, earning roster spots on both the senior and junior women’s teams. That year she represented Canada at the inaugural World Championship for junior women and was named to the tournament all-star team. With the senior team she competed in two Paralympic Games at London 2012 and Rio 2016 and reached the top of the podium at the women’s World Championship in 2014.

“I am most thankful for the opportunities that arose for me by representing the national team,” said Jewells. “My years with Team Canada have shaped me into the person I am today. Who would have ever thought that a kid from Donkin, N.S. would end up travelling the world, going to two Paralympics, winning a World Championship, and going to school in US on a scholarship? I am thankful every day I wake up for the life I get to live.”

More on Katie Harnock, Jamey Jewells, Adam Lancia and Janet McLachlan’s retirements can be found on Wheelchair Basketball Canada’s website.