The OCWSA started in 1976 as a wheelchair basketball program at the Royal Ottawa Hospital. Today it is a flourishing organization operating under a board of directors, elected from its general membership.

The association operates competitive and recreational basketball programs to suit the needs and interests of its members. As well, it actively pursues involvement with the community to promote familiarization with wheelchair sports and to educate the public about the abilities and capabilities of persons with a disability.

The OCWSA currently supports two competitive level teams, the Royals and the Jazz.

The Royals, made up of both male and female players, has played in the elite North American Wheelchair Basketball League, which has over 165 teams. In 1992 the team qualified for the "Final Four" Championship tournament, making it only the third Canadian team to accomplish this feat. In 1994 it repeated and became the first Canadian team to ever make it, twice. In the 1990's no fewer than seven Royals have played on national teams that have represented Canada in World games events.

The Ottawa Jazz is our women's team. This team currently plays in the women's conference of the Canadian Wheelchair Basketball League and is the Ontario Provincial representative. This team has also had its fair share of success. Always ranked among the top three women's teams in the country, they were national champions in 1993, 1995, 1998, 2000 and silver medalists in 1999 and 2001.

The support of the Government of Ontario is acknowledged