When Whitehorse resident Johnathan Ferris first got involved in the wheelchair basketball program nearly two years ago, as an assistant coach, he was one of about six people taking part in the sport on a regular basis.

Now a head coach with the program, Ferris is pleased with the increase in the sport's popularity about 20 people turned out to play every Monday this season. And as the Yukon Wheelchair Recreation Association (YWRA), which runs wheelchair basketball, held their year-end meeting and awards presentation Monday evening, Ferris expressed hope that it can only get better from here.

The association already has plans to expand in Watson Lake next year, as well as host a Yukon wheeelchair basketball championship. Ferris and YWRA President Sarah MacKay have also heard from numerous people interested in getting involved next season.

'We took part in a disability awareness expo this year,' he explained. 'We gave people an opportunity to sit in the sport recreation chairs and try dribbling. We also displayed a video and just provided information.

'A lot of people were unaware that such an organization exists. It just sort of opened their eyes to different options.'

The association also held a clinic, with two people from the Northern Lights wheelchair basketball team in Edmonton traveling to the Yukon, including coach Daryl Nordell. Nordell did a wheelchair demo and worked with Yukoners on developing their skills.

'We were extremely lucky to have them come up,' said MacKay.

Ferris took what he's learned over the past two years into local high schools, setting up a demonstration something he would like to see incorporated in physical education classes.

'Our hope is to develop a disability awareness program, through wheelchair basketball, at local high schools,' he said.

Yukon College has even expressed some interest in a program involving wheelchair basketball, and with this year's participants vowing to tell their friends about the sport, enrollment numbers could soon jump.

'It's been really assuring and motivating to see the involvement and motivation of players,' said Ferris. 'I would just like to say how proud I am as a coach to see the development of our players. We have such a diverse group of participants, with varying abilities, but their all on the same playing field.'

Carrie Rudolph and Natasha McGovern are two of athletes who were involved this past season. McGovern was also an assistant coach.

'Johnathan (Ferris) kind of dragged me into it,' smiled the 15-year-old, adding it's the people that have kept her coming back. 'It's fun, I love it.'

For 21-year-old Rudolph, wheelchair basketball offered the chance to promote more wheelchair awareness, as well as get out and do more activities. She said 'the interaction, the actual sport and the energy' are the best reasons to get involved. Both Rudolph and McGovern plan on entering the program again next year.

Wheelchair basketball has mostly the same rules as traditional basketball. The nets are still at 10 feet, although players are only allowed two pushes of the wheels before they pass, dribble or shoot. Three pushes is considered travelling. It's also open to anybody who wants to take part.

'It's open to both able-bodied and disabled people,' said Ferris. 'We're encouraging people of all abilities to participate.'

Wheelchair basketball is an official sport of the Canada Winter Games, so the association hopes to have some sort of Yukon representation at the 2007 Games, which will be held in Whitehorse. It was also decided at last night's meeting that the association should take part in the annual Canada Day parade, including all 16 sport recreation chairs.

'We would also like to see wheelchair charity games, such as a game against the RCMP,' said Ferris.

'(And) next year one of our goals is to have a referee come in and volunteer for one hour, during the game.'

MacKay said one of her goals for next season is to have more athlete and coach training, to keep Yukon's athletes at the top of their game.

The wheelchair basketball program is sponsored by Yukon Electric, Lotteries Yukon, the City of Whitehorse and the Yukon Recreation Advisory Committee. All games are played at Vanier Catholic Secondary School. The next season will start in September, the week after school is back in.

A fee of $50 for athletes covers all games, insurance and equipment for the entire year.

'It challenges everyone on a different level, you get more knowledge on disabilities, you get to try something fun and it's a great workout,' said Ferris.