As head coach from 1990 to 2009, Frick turned Canada's women into one of the most dominant teams in the history of amateur sports in the country.

His side enjoyed a decade-long undefeated streak in major international competition, including an unprecedented three consecutive Paralympic titles, in 1992, 1996 and 2000; and four straight World Championship gold medals, in 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006.

They also took bronze at the World Championship in 1990 and the Paralmypic Games in 2004.

"It is a tremendous honour to be inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame as the first Paralympic coach, and it's made even more special to be joining the two athletes who made my involvement in Paralympic sport possible, Rick Hansen and Terry Fox," said Frick.

"But really it was 19 plus years of dedicated athletes and staff, great assistant coaches and unwavering support from Wheelchair Basketball Canada and the Canadian Paralympic Committee that made our legacy possible.

"I wish I could thank every Team Canada player and supporter personally for a lifetime of wonderful friendships and magical experiences."



Frick received his award at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto, where he was joined on stage by two of his former athletes.

Marni Abbott-Peter and Rick Hansen, a wheelchair basketball Paralympian and a three-time athletics gold medal winner respectively, presented him with his award.

In addition to his involvement in wheelchair basketball, early in his career Frick also coached Hansen during his "Man in Motion" World Tour.

"He has changed the sport of wheelchair basketball around the world with his positive attitude and enthusiasm for the game," Abbott-Peter reflected.

"He is a creative, innovative learner and teacher and has the power to guide, inspire, and empower an athlete or team to achieve their full potential.

"He cares deeply about people and abides by his mantra to enjoy every moment.

"I am lucky to have been coached by him and even luckier to have him as a friend."

Frick was also inducted into the Wheelchair Basketball Canada Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame in 2013.

The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) also named its high-performance coaching excellence award the "Tim Frick Paralympic Coach Excellence Award" after him in 2010.

CPC President, Gaétan Tardif added: "The Canadian Paralympic Committee was thrilled to hear of Frick's induction into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame". 

"Everyone who played for him will tell you they were successful because of the character and ethics he instilled in his teams.

"He cared for them not only as athletes, but as human beings.

"A huge congratulations on this honour."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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April 2014: Tim Frick becomes first Paralympic coach inducted into Canada Sports Hall of Fame