“It’s been a long time coming.”
That’s from PG Wheelchair Basketball player Joel Ewert who is part of the Canadian national team heading to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico next week (March 8-12) for the IWBF’s Under-23 Americas Championship.
The team is currently wrapping up a pre-tournament camp in Edmonton and Ewert told MyPGNow.com the last two years have been a grind.
“There were lots of days during the pandemic where you are just training without a real goal or anything in sight so you are training and hoping days like this will come where you are able to compete.”
Ewert noted finally being able to dawn the maple leaf is a dream come true.
“It’s very exciting to be a part of this team. To be selected as one of eleven athletes from all across Canada and to get a chance to do where the maple leaf is a special opportunity.”
“To be able to travel to an environment we are not used to is very exciting,” added Ewert.
As for what type of role the PG product will play, Ewert expects to be right in the trenches.
“I’m a lower point player. I am not a ball-handler as I will be setting picks a lot trying to get our best scorers in the best position they can to make their shots.”
“At the same time, I am going to be leaned on as a leader for a lot of the athletes. Hopefully, I can help build some confidence.”
The U-23 Americas were originally slated for December but had to be pushed back due to the Omicron variant.
If Canada places first or second, they will qualify for the U-23 Men’s World Championships set for September in Thailand.
“Right now, we are trying not to look too far ahead and focus on qualification and iron out all the kinks while we are at this pre-tournament camp so that by the time we get to Mexico we are ready to go,” said Ewert.
The worlds were originally slated for last summer but were postponed.
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