Adam Lancia
Paralympian

Adam Lancia began playing Wheelchair Basketball in September 1989 in a house league. He greatly enjoyed playing alongside his older teammates who he credits with helping him develop and hone his athletic skills. Adam has a close relationship with his coach, Mike Frogley. The two have worked together for over 19 years and Adam acknowledges the stability of their relationship as a driving force in his athletics.

Adam joined the national team in 2002, and helped Canada win gold at the 2004 Paralympic Summer Games in Athens. Not content to rest on his sportsman laurels, Adam also earned a degree in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois.

Variety is a unique fitness sports training and life skills facility where people of all abilities are inspired to become active and proud of their accomplishments. Adam believes it is one of the best facilities in Canada to develop sports skills and the top place for Wheelchair athletes to recognize and reach their potential.

Adam truly believes he would not be the Paralympic athlete he is today without Variety Village and its expert staff, who he recognizes as extended family members who have supported him for nearly two decades. Variety Village provided Adam with a place to go where he was encouraged to flourish. He learned about the sport of wheelchair basketball from Archie Allison, an employee at Variety Village. Adam immediately took to the sport and began throwing hoops in hoops in 1989.

Adam cherishes many of the experiences he has enjoyed as a result of his association with Variety Village. He fondly remembers the time Jack Donahue visited his Junior Nationals camp at Variety Village in 2001 as well as being involved in the organization and execution of the Police and Sunshine games and sharing the company of the Lieutenant Governor.

Representing his country in various international competitions are the times when Adam feels truly fulfilled. Adams says the sense of pride he derived from hearing the Canadian national anthem as the Canadian flag was raised in Athens (and Amsterdam) was an unparalleled experience – one that still brings joyous tears to his eyes.

As for the future, Adam shows no signs of slowing down and looking back on past successes – he’s already planning new ones. Goals on the horizon include winning another Paralympic gold medal, winning at least one other World Championship, and playing in Germany to win a European championship.