A dozen players have been selected by Wheelchair Basketball Canada for each of the men’s and women’s teams, which will battle for medals during the Games that are scheduled to take place from September 7 to 18.

The Canadian women are the reigning world champions and head into Rio with a roster that features 10 returning players from the team that captured the global crown in 2014.

Erica Gavel and Rosalie Lalonde are the two new additions joining Tracey Ferguson, Katie Harnock, Melanie Hawtin, Jamey Jewells, Janet McLachlan, Cindy Ouellet, Darda Sales, Tamara Steeves, Amanda Yan and Arinn Young.

They will be supported by head coach Bill Johnson and assistant coaches Michael Broughton and Katie Miyazaki in preparation for Rio 2016.

"We have an excellent group of athletes, coaches and support staff who have all worked very hard to get to this point and that momentum will carry us through until the Games," said Johnson, who guided Canada to a silver medal on home soil at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games.

"As a top-ranked team we are confident in our ability to go head-to-head with the very best in the world as we strive for a return to the Paralympic podium in Rio."

The Canadian men are the reigning Paralympic champions and six players will be returning from the team that won gold four years ago at London 2012.

Abdi Dini, David Eng, Bo Hedges, Chad Jassman, Adam Lancia and Tyler Miller were all part of that successful side and will be complemented this time round by Nik Goncin, Deion Green, Liam Hickey, Jonathan Vermette, Peter Won and pending classification, Ben Moronchuk.

The team will be supported by head coach Steve Bialowas and assistant coach Darrell Nordell.

"We have assembled a great team with a balanced mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent," said Bialowas, who helped Canada finish runners-up at Toronto 2015.

"Our team is training tirelessly to reach its full potential on the court and we are excited to get underway in what is sure to be an exhilarating competition in Rio."

Wheelchair basketball at Rio 2016 features 12 nations on the men's side and 10 countries on the women's.

The action is due to begin for Canada on September 8, when the women open the competition against Great Britain and the men face Spain.

"It is very exciting to be celebrating our first teams to be nominated," said Team Canada's Chef de Mission, Chantal Petitclerc.

"I admire the commitment to excellence of our wheelchair basketball teams and I know they will be up for the challenge as they compete against a strong field of nations in Rio.

"I have great confidence in their ability to deliver outstanding performances."

Carla Qualtrough, Canada's Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, added: "Canada's men's and women's wheelchair basketball teams are poised to make another push for the podium in Rio in September - with the entire country watching and cheering their every basket.

"On behalf of Team Canada - 35 million strong - congratulations to all the athletes named to represent our country and I commend Wheelchair Basketball Canada on their outstanding work in preparing our athletes to shine bright in front of the world."

Canada's men have won three gold medals and one silver in their last four appearances at the Paralympic Games.

The women won three consecutive Paralympic gold medals in 1992, 1996 and 2000, followed by a bronze medal in 2004.