March 11, 2016 – With the Canadian National Sitting Volleyball Teams about to depart for Anji, Huzhou, China for the World ParaVolley Intercontinental Tournament, we feature in this article national team member Chris Bird from Brandon who is hoping to help his team qualify for Rio 2016.
The 2016 World ParaVolley Intercontinental Tournament is a Rio 2016 Paralympic Games qualifier where there is one Rio 2016 berth available for each the men and women. The Canadian women’s team has already qualified for the Paralympic Games but the men’s team is still looking for a spot.
Chris Bird was raised in Brandon, MB and like many typical teenagers was active in sports, playing hockey and liked to go for runs. At the age of 15 he was involved in a car accident that resulted in the loss of his right leg. Chris struggled to come to terms with his new reality following the accident but eventually became involved in sledge hockey, and was ultimately recruited for the sitting national volleyball team, which all helped him to move forward with his life.
Chris has since embraced the sport, and counts himself as being very fortunate to have the opportunity to travel and represent Canada with his teammates across the country and the world. Chris has also gives back as a speaker for ‘Right to Play’, where he presents to school students on the importance of an active lifestyle, play time, and how to participate in Global citizenship.
We caught up with Chris recently and asked a few questions:
How and when did you get involved in volleyball / sitting volleyball?
In May 2012 I was invited to a training camp being held in Toronto. The men’s national sitting volleyball team had just failed to qualify for the London Paralympics and was inviting prospective athletes. I had been involved with Sledge Hockey Manitoba and someone noticed my size so I was invited. I went in to camp with little volleyball skill or experience and I was shocked at the guy’s skill level when I got there.
What major events have you attended?
I have competed at the Pan American Zonal Championships, and in a few friendly matches with the US.
Most memorable moment to date?
My favorite moment was training at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. The atmosphere, and the number of elite athletes all training on the same grounds was a real eye opener to how serious sport can be taken. It was very inspiring.
What is your schedule as your team prepares to qualify for Rio 2016?
My team has one more chance to qualify for Rio 2016 at the 2016 Intercontinental and World ParaVolley Tourament in March in China. I hope to be one of the athletes my team takes to China (he has recently been named to the roster). I personally spent more time in Calgary since the new year where the team has been centralized in preparation.
We wish Chris and Team Canada the best of luck in China as they strive for Rio2016!
Additional story on Chris: http://www.thenba.ca/volleyball-canada-profile/the-story-of-chris-bird/
Additional Information on the 2016 World ParaVolley Intercontinental Tournament: http://www.volleyball.ca/content/sitting-events-0
