The President of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Canada, Carla Qualtrough, has been named to the list of Most Influential Women in Sport and Physical Activity in Canada for 2009.

Carla Qualtrough is entering her second term as President NPC Canada, where she has led an organisational review, and implemented a new leadership model that has positioned the committee to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. She consulted regularly with the Vancouver 2010 Organising Committee (VANOC) on Paralympic Games issues, including the development of plans for the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay.

Ms Qualtrough also participated in the successful Toronto-area 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games bid, and was subsequently named to the Board of the Host Organising Committee for Toronto 2015. Additionally, she is the new chairperson of the board for the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada.

Compiled by the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS), a total of 20 women were named to the 2009 list which recognises women who have made a significant impact as administrators, advocates, coaches, executives, fundraisers, managers, producers, psychologists and volunteers. Their selection to the list reflects their influential activity in the calendar year 2009.

This is the eighth Most Influential Women list announced by CAAWS. Chair of the CAAWS Board of Directors Nicole Smith outlined how the list is indicative of the diverse roles that Canadian women fulfil. She said that this year's list reflects the reality of how women are influential throughout the country at many different levels, and in a wide variety of activities.

As a leader in Canadian sport and physical activity, CAAWS fosters quality experiences and equitable support for girls and women. It has a vision to see a sport and physical activity system where girls and women are actively engaged. A not-for-profit organisation, CAAWS offers a number of services, programmes and resources to a variety of clients, including sport and physical activity organisations, teachers, coaches, health professionals and recreation leaders. CAAWS works in close co-operation with government and non-government organisations on activities and initiatives that advocate for positive change for young girls and women in the sport and physical activity communities.

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