The Meridian Play to Podium Fund helps ParaSport® Ontario support
members of Ontario’s disability community to play their sport through
fundraising for adaptive sports equipment.
For some, playing basketball comes with the need of a sports wheelchair. Playing hockey...
a sled. Biking with friends... a handcycle. The Meridian Play to Podium Fund helps aspiring
athletes with a disability “get in the game.”
Meet the first recipient of adaptive sports equipment from the newly-branded Meridian Play
to Podium Fund: Julian Caverley. Julian will be presented with his new equipment on July
30th at the Closing Ceremonies for the 2022 Niagara Games NOTL Torch Run. Julian began
playing wheelchair basketball at age 11 with the Brock Niagara Penguins. In the winter of
2021, he found his passion for playing on the ice. He joined ParaSport® Ontario’s new
Niagara Sledge Hockey League.
From day one, despite needing help to move his sled around the ice, Julian knew that this
was the sport for him. He practiced relentlessly. He came to every game. By season’s end,
he could skate on his own, alongside fellow teammates! He’ll be rejoining his teammates in
St. Catharines for his second season with the league.
“We’re so pleased to be the title sponsor of the Meridian Play to Podium Fund,” said Wade
Stayzer, Meridian’s Chief People & Culture Officer. “The Fund is for Ontarians with physical
disabilities who want to be active, or play a sport, but need adaptive sports equipment to do
that. This is why I am proud to present Julian with his very own sled as the first recipient of
the Meridian Play to Podium Fund.”
Meridian Credit Union celebrates volunteerism and community support. As part of Meridian’s
partnership with ParaSport® Ontario, Meridian asked, “What can we do to help, particularly
in our branch communities?” We had the answer: The Meridian Million Minutes Activity
Challenge!
The Meridian Million Minutes Activity Challenge is a way for branch staff, Members and the
ParaSport community to join forces and fundraise for adaptive sports equipment! The
“challenge” is a fun event for Meridian employees and ParaSport® members to compete
against one another to be more active this August. Registration is free and open to all who
want to participate and raise funds for adaptive sporting equipment. EveryBODY can register
at www.millionminutes.ca .
