Josh vander vies biography
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It is one of only two Paralympic sports that do not have an Olympic counterpart. This experience led to his role as president of AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, where he championed athlete rights. Its mission is to lead the development of a sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games.
But I am very proud of the success of all my Canadian Boccia teammates and especially thrilled to see my BC4 teammates on track after last week’s spectacular come-from-behind performance in Montreal against the number one ranked team in the world, Brazil, to become the dominant international pair.”
Globally recognized as a strong supporter of the Paralympic movement, Vander Vies shares a desire to make the elegant game of Boccia more and more familiar to future athletes and fans.
There he qualified for the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games and went on to compete in the 2007 and 2011 World Cups and the 2006 and 2010 World Championships. As a lawyer and leader he champions the rule of law and reduction of barriers. By supporting Canadian high performance athletes with a disability and promoting their success, the Canadian Paralympic Committee inspires all Canadians with a disability to participate in sport through the programs offered by its member organizations.
His best world ranking was third in the world in doubles in 2013 and seventh in individual in 2010.
Off the playing court, the Sarnia, Ont. native who is now a long-time resident of Vancouver, has been heavily involved in athlete leadership both during and after his competitive career. For more information, visit www.paralympique.ca.
About Boccia Canada
Boccia Canada is the boccia delivery arm of the Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (CCPSA), the National Sport Organization for the Paralympic sport of boccia.
"It's the same for law."
This summer, Vander Vies will focus on Boccia and begin his search for an articling position at a law firm. Now, as co-chef de mission, he will champion accessible sport and inclusion on the world stage.
At the Paralympics, athletes compete on a level playing field alongside athletes with similar disabilities.
Led by CEO Tamara Vrooman, we cheered loudly as Josh made his way to the gate to depart for Paris. Boccia Canada is focused on providing athletes and individuals of all ages and skill with the chance to play a unique Paralympic sport. In 2023, he was named co-chef de mission with Karolina Wisniewska for the 2023 Parapan American Games in Santiago and the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
Vander Vies is currently the Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
At the 2018 Commonwealth Games, he acted as Team Canada’s Ombudsman.
He continued his support of Canadian athletes through 2021 as the assistant chef de mission for the Canadian Paralympic Team at the postponed Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Currently, he is President of AthletesCAN, Canada’s national team athlete association, where he has the honour of helping to guide the evolution of Canadian sport.
“Paralympic sport and boccia have played an important role in my life,” said Vander Vies.
He has been on the international podium several times, winning a bronze medal at the 2011 Parapan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, and two silver and one bronze in the Americas Cup. His international career is undoubtedly marked by the courageous bronze medal in Pairs at the 2012 London Paralympic Games won with teammate Marco Dispaltro.
“Josh is a remarkable athlete who has consistently risen to the many challenges and opportunities presented to him,” said Head Coach Mario Delisle.
Over a period of 11 days, our Canadian team will count among 4,400 athletes from all over the world who will participate in nearly 550 events through 23 sports including goalball, wheelchair basketball and a range of athletics.
The Paralympics celebrate diversity and promote equity, values that are important to YVR and our community.
Athletes compete in one of six sport classes based on their level and type of disability: BC1, BC2, BC3 BC4, BC5, and Open.
Media contact:
Sabrina Wilkinson
Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Boccia Canada
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: (613) 748-1430 poste 3 | (613) 276 5667
Alison Korn
Senior Manager, Media Relations and Communications, Canadian Paralympic Committee
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: (613) 569-4333 poste 243 | (613) 298-4927
Josh
Vander Vies
Josh Vander Vies was one of Canada’s top international boccia players for more than a decade.
He also has his sights set on competing at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. He made his Paralympic Games debut at Athens 2004, won a bronze medal in individuals at the 2011 Parapan American Games in Guadalajara, and is a 2012 Paralympic bronze medallist in pairs.
At London 2012, Vander Vies and teammate Marco Dispaltro became the first Canadian BC4 players to win a Paralympic medal with their bronze in pairs.
He discovered boccia as a kid, competing at a disability focused multi-sport Games in swimming, shotput, and discus, where he saw the precision sport played by others.
“It’s hard to leave. The vision of the Canadian Paralympic Committee is to be the best Paralympic country in the world.