Arguably the third most prestigious tournament in wheelchair rugby, after the World Championship and Paralympic Games, this year's competition will, for the first time, give teams the opportunity to play for world ranking points, making the stakes even higher for the eight teams in attendance.

The three-day event, which gets underway on June 19, will see hosts Canada battling against world number two ranked team Australia, as well as Japan, Denmark, Great Britain, New Zealand, Sweden and Switzerland.

The hosts and Paralympic silver medallists will be looking to key men, such as rising star Zak Madell, to pull them through to victory in front of the jubilant home crowds as they look to take advantage of the absence of four-time winners and world number ones the United States.

"This has been a very fun and exciting season," Madell said.

"I am adjusting my training accordingly so that my performance will be peaking at the time when it is most important.

"I am always working on new ways to improve my game, by improving my physical fitness, analysing game footage, or changing things about my wheelchair itself.

"I just recently got a new rugby chair this season, I am always experimenting with my seating position to try to get the most efficiency out of my chair, and tinkering with new strapping systems so that I am rigid in my seat and no all my energy transfers into my chair."

Zak Madell will prove a critical part of the Canadian team as they look to secure victory in one of wheelchair rugby's most prestigious tournaments ©Getty Images


Australia will be Canada's biggest challengers in this year's Canada Cup as the Paralympic champions look to add a second title to the one won in 2010.

Canada are yet to top the podium at their home tournament, although they have come in the top three in the past five editions.

The Canadian squad is identical to the one that earned bronze at last year's Wheelchair Rugby Challenge in Denmark, following victory over Great Britain in the bronze medal match.

Madell added that the Canada Cup will act as a preview for the World Championship in Odense, Denmark, giving them an idea of how they will match up with the other teams over summer.

The US and Australia will arguably start as the favourites in Denmark in August, but they will not have it all their own way.

"Canada historically has been able to compete with some of the top contenders in the sport, and there is no better feeling than causing a big upset being considered the underdogs against teams like the US and Australia," Madell added.

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