Basketball Manitoba is recognizing a major coaching announcement involving two key leaders closely connected to the Manitoba basketball community, following news released this week by Wheelchair Basketball Canada regarding the Senior Women’s National Team program.
Wheelchair Basketball Canada has announced that Michele Sung will step down as Head Coach of Canada’s Senior Women’s National Team following a highly successful two-year period leading the program, while Manitoba’s Joey Johnson has been named as the new head coach.
Sung, who currently serves on the Basketball Manitoba Board of Directors and is also the head coach of the University of Manitoba Bisons Women's Basketball program, helped guide Canada to a fourth-place finish at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris — the team’s best Paralympic result in over 20 years. She also led Canada’s women’s 3x3 wheelchair basketball team to a gold medal at the inaugural IWBF 3x3 Open World Championships and a bronze medal at the 2025 IWBF Americas Cup.
“It has been an incredible privilege to lead this program and work alongside such dedicated athletes, coaches, and support staff,” said Sung through the Wheelchair Basketball Canada announcement. “I’m proud of what we accomplished together and grateful for the relationships and experiences that came with representing Canada on the international stage.”
Basketball Manitoba acknowledged Sung’s ongoing leadership and contributions to basketball in Manitoba through both the able-bodied and wheelchair basketball pathways.
“We are extremely proud of Michele and the impact she has had on the national stage,” said Basketball Manitoba Executive Director Adam Wedlake. “Her leadership, professionalism, and commitment to athlete development continue to positively influence basketball across Manitoba and Canada.”
Taking over the Senior Women’s National Team program is Joey Johnson, Basketball Manitoba’s Manager of Wheelchair and 3x3 Operations and one of Canada’s most decorated wheelchair basketball athletes and coaches.
A native of Lorette, Manitoba, Johnson recently served as head coach of Great Britain’s men’s national wheelchair basketball team, guiding the program to a silver medal finish at the 2024 Paralymic Games. Prior to that, he served as an assistant coach with Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team at both the 2019 Parapan American Games and the Tokyo 2020 Paralymic Games.
As an athlete, Johnson represented Canada at five Paralympic Games, capturing three gold medals and one silver, and won a World Championship in 2006.
“I’m honoured for the opportunity to lead this program and continue building on the strong foundation already in place,” said Johnson through the Wheelchair Basketball Canada release. “Canada has a proud history in wheelchair basketball, and I’m excited to work with this talented group of athletes and staff as we prepare for the next chapter together.”
Basketball Manitoba noted that Johnson’s appointment further strengthens Manitoba’s longstanding connection to the national wheelchair basketball system and highlights the province’s continued leadership within the sport.
Wheelchair Basketball Canada also announced that Australian coach Craig Campbell will join the Senior Women’s National Team coaching staff as an assistant coach, bringing more than two decades of international coaching and high-performance experience to the program.
Sung will remain involved through the upcoming national team training camp in Richmond, British Columbia to assist with the transition process.
For more information on Wheelchair Basketball Canada, visit Wheelchair Basketball Canada.