Canadian boccia star Vander Vies retires

The London 2012 Paralympic medalist plans to spend more time with family and pursue a law career. 10 May 2015
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Josh Vander Vies

Canada's Josh Vander Vies throws during the mixed pairs boccia BC4 bronze-medal match at London 2012, as his teammate Marco Dispaltro looks on.

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By Canadian Paralympic Committee

Boccia player Josh Vander Vies announced he will retire, closing the book to his incredible 11-year career with team Canada.

Vander Vies earned a number of international podium finishes, including two silvers and a bronze in the Americas Cup competition and bronze at the 2011 Parapan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. His international career was highlighted by the gritty bronze medal in BC4 pairs from the London 2012 Paralympic Games, won with teammate Marco Dispaltro.

“Dedication and discipline as an athlete were always paramount to Josh, even while pursuing his education and starting a family,” head coach Mario Delisle said. “We will miss Josh’s presence, experience and leadership on the national team, but also wish him every continued success as he begins a new chapter in his life.”

It all started with his first major international competition at the 2003 World Cup in Christchurch, New Zealand. There, Vander Vies qualified to the Athens 2004 Paralympics and went on to compete at World Cups in 2007 and 2011, and World Championships in 2006 and 2010.

While competing, Vander Vies also served as an athlete representative on the Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association Board of Directors (CCPSA) from 2008 to 2013. In addition, he acted as the athlete council representative on the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) Board of Directors and the chair of CPC’s athletes’ council from 2008 to 2012. Currently, he is President of Athletes CAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, where he helps guide the evolution of Canadian sport.

“Paralympic sport and boccia have played such a meaningful role in my life,” Vander Vies said. “It is hard to leave them.”

Vander Vies expressed his desire to make boccia increasingly known. As a professional speaker, he has used sport to begin dialogues surrounding inclusion, accessibility and better understandings of disability.

“On behalf of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, congratulations to Josh on a hugely successful career both on and off the field of play,” said Gaetan Tardif, president of CPC. “We couldn’t be prouder of Josh as he moves in to the next chapter of life, knowing he will continue to be a great ambassador for Paralympic sport, while contributing his leadership and vision to the Canadian sport system as a whole. Thank you Josh, for all your contributions and we wish you all the best in your future challenges.”

While competing as an athlete, Vander Vies became father to Olivia, who is now nearly two, stepson Karolis and husband to international fencer Dalia Vander Vies. He excelled in his studies, earning an honours double major in political science and French from the University of Western Ontario. He is going on to complete the University of British Colombia’s law programme.