Erica Gavel, who won a silver medal with the Canadian women's Para basketball team at the 2015 Parapan American Games has been elected chair of the Canadian Paralympic Athletes Council ©Getty Images

Erica Gavel has been elected as chair of the Canadian Paralympic Athletes’ Council, after a two-year spell as vice-chair.

Gavel succeeds Tony Walby, who is a legally blind judoka, and becomes a member of the Canadian Paralympic Committee's Board of Directors.

"I am elated to be selected as chair of the Canadian Paralympic Athletes Council, and thank my fellow Council members for selecting me," said Gavel, a wheelchair basketball player who competed at the Rio 2016 Paralympics and was part of the Canadian team that won silver at the 2015 Parapan American Games.

"Under Tony’s leadership, we made tremendous progress and I look forward to building on the work that has taken place over the last four years, especially with our new vice-chair and Council members.

"I am honoured to represent and be a voice for all Paralympic athletes in Canada, and work with relevant stakeholders to improve the quality of sporting experiences for both current and future athletes from across the country."

Paralympic rower Jeremy Hall has been elected as vice-chair of the Canadian Paralympic Athletes Council ©Getty Images
Paralympic rower Jeremy Hall has been elected as vice-chair of the Canadian Paralympic Athletes Council ©Getty Images

The Rio 2016 Paralympian will be joined by Paralympic rower Jeremy Hall, who will serve as vice-chair.

"I am very excited as a newly elected member to take on this incredible leadership opportunity," said Hall, who competed at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

"I look forward to supporting Erica as chair of the Council while advocating for Paralympic athletes and pushing for positive change to help National Sport Organizations become more inclusive by improving accessibility and equality."

The Council is set to consist of seven members - Gavel, Hall, goalball player Amy Burk, wheelchair curler Ina Forrest, Para ice hockey player Tyler McGregor, Para swimmer Abi Tripp and wheelchair rugby player Michael Whitehead.