Meet the 2010WWRC Staff: Communications

It’s nearly 7 months until the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships and we’re hard at work trying to put together a great world championship experience come September. We thought, however, that we should take a moment to introduce ourselves so that you’ll know who to contact if you have any questions, concerns or feedback. (Or, if you’re just curious who’s answering your Facebook posts or your tweets).

Today, we’ll introduce you to the communication staff for the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships: the people who are responsible for the Twitter and Facebook updates, the press releases and basically anything that helps to get the word out about what a great sport wheelchair rugby is so that the stands in the Richmond Oval will be filled with adoring fans this September.

Arley McNeney: Arley is a former wheelchair basketball player who has won two World Championship gold medals and one Paralympic bronze. She’s also a writer; her first novel, Post, was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writer’s Prize in the Best First Novel category and she recently received her Master’s degree in Creative Writing from the University of Illinois. Arley was introduced to the world of wheelchair rugby after she showed up, alone and bedraggled, on a Greek island without any of her luggage and was rescued by three members of the Canadian wheelchair rugby national team (long story). From that rocky start, she is excited to promote the sport as a communications coordinator for the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships with a focus on the social-media end of things (Facebook, Twitter, blogging, the website).

Judy Joseph-Black: Judy Joseph-Black, a resident of Gabriola Island, BC, has over a decade and a half of experience in the communications industry. She has worked in radio, publishing, and currently is a sport consultant/communications manager at the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport. She was a media coordinator for the XV Commonwealth Games in Victoria and was the Public Relations Coordinator for the University of Victoria Athletics and Recreational Services for four years. Judy has served on mission staff in different capacities for several multi-sport games, including the Canada Summer and Winter Games, the Western Canada Summer Games and the 2000 Sydney, 2002 Salt Lake City, 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. She was also the Team BC media coordinator for the 2005 Canada Summer Games in Regina and most recently was on mission staff for Aboriginal Team BC at the 2008 North American Indigenous Games. Her strength in communications and public relations was recognized in 1998 when she won the YWCA Women of Distinction Award in Victoria. Judy also owns a media relations company, Sports Reports Consulting Services, where she oversees communications for amateur sport organizations. She enjoys soccer and golf and lives happily on her Island of paradise with her husband, Bob, and family.