OSHAWA, Ont. - Durham College Athletics & Recreation has been recognized by the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), earning the Community Service Award for the 2025-26 season.

The award recognizes a member institution that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to serving their communities through meaningful initiatives and engagement. Durham College received the honour for its "Sport is for everyBODY!" parasport initiative, a comprehensive program in partnership with Parasport Ontario focused on creating inclusive and accessible sport and recreation opportunities for students and community members of all abilities.

Building on a commitment to community engagement that spans decades, the award celebrates Durham's leadership in advancing parasport opportunities both on campus and throughout Durham Region.

Launched in conjunction with hosting the 2025 CCAA Women's Volleyball Championship, the initiative has evolved into a year-round program designed to remove barriers to participation, increase awareness of parasport and create meaningful pathways from recreation to competition. The initiative includes Parasport Try-It Week, a sitting volleyball competitive club program, academic integration opportunities for students, parasport event hosting and future programming designed to further expand accessible sport opportunities.

Throughout the year, Durham College partnered with Parasport Ontario and numerous community organizations to introduce students and community members to wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, sledge hockey and other adaptive sports. The college was also the host venue for major parasport events, including the 2025 Wheelchair Basketball National Championships and national team training camps.

The impact of the initiative extended beyond athletics, creating hands-on learning opportunities for students in programs such as Kinesiology, Recreation Therapy and Fitness and Health Promotion while fostering a more inclusive campus culture. The program also contributed to Durham College and Ontario Tech University receiving the Parasport Ontario Community Impact Award for their leadership in creating accessible sport opportunities across campus and the broader community.

"This recognition reflects the values that define Durham College," said Scott Dennis, Director, Athletics & Recreation. "Community engagement has always been at the heart of what we do and to be recognized nationally is incredibly meaningful. Joe (Millage) and James (Murphy) from Parasport Ontario have been outstanding partners in helping us build and grow this program. Our student-athletes, coaches, staff, and community partners have demonstrated the power of sport to bring people together, break down barriers and create opportunities for everyone to participate and belong."

This marks the second time Durham College has received the national award, having previously earned the honour in 2010 for its Lords Care Program. Through that initiative, student-athletes, coaches and staff members immersed themselves in community service projects across the region. During that year, the Lords visited more than 25 schools and welcomed community groups to over 60 home games.

With the recognition, Durham becomes the first institution from the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association to win the CCAA Community Service Award twice.

As Durham College continues to expand its parasport offerings, including future initiatives such as ParaRecFest and a Parasport Summer Camp, the college remains focused on ensuring that sport truly is for everyBODY.