Pembroke to honour Jolan Wong with Key to the City

The City of Pembroke will honour sitting volleyball Paralympic bronze medallist Jolan Wong with a Key to the City to recognize her tremendous accomplishments in sport.

Mayor Gervais will present the key to Jolan during the Pembroke Lumber Kings game at the Pembroke Memorial Centre (PMC) Sunday, October 13.

Jolan has had an incredibly successful career in sitting volleyball, achieving bronze medals at the 2015 and 2019 Parapan American Games and a silver medal at the 2022 World Para Volleyball Championship in addition to her bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. She has been a member of the national team since 2008 and has competed at many international competitions. In 2020, she was named ParaSport Ontario’s Female Athlete of the Year.

Jolan has played many sports since she was a child, but always had a passion for volleyball. When she was 13, she lost her right leg to bone cancer. In high school, her standing volleyball coach reached out to Volleyball Canada to see if she would be eligible to try out for the sitting volleyball team. The women’s sitting volleyball program was just beginning in Canada. She tried out for the squad, fell in love with the sport, and has played ever since.

“Jolan Wong is an inspiration to everyone,” says Mayor Ron Gervais. “She works hard not only to be strong on the court, but also be strong in the community, and serve as an incredible role model to everyone around her. I am honoured to recognize and celebrate Jolan.”

The presentation of a key to an individual by a municipality is the highest honor that can be bestowed. It is a beloved symbol of civic recognition and gratitude reserved for individuals with the highest level of achievement.

The community is invited to come celebrate Jolan at the Lumber Kings game October 13. After her presentation, she will drop the puck to kick off the 2 p.m. game. She will also be available at intermission in the PMC Activity Room for photos and a meet and greet.