THUNDER BAY – Representing Canada on a national level wasn’t something 18-year-old Bryce Foster had on his radar.
It wasn’t until Lakehead University’s volleyball coach approached Foster, a fifth-year high school student at Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute, and asked him to consider being a Paralympic athlete.
“It just kind of came out of the blue,” Foster said.
After introducing himself to the sport, going through months of training, and trying out for the team, Foster has officially secured his spot on the National Men's Sitting Volleyball.
“I’ve always been looking for something like this, and the opportunity presented itself so I just wanted to ride it out and see where it went, and it definitely went in a positive direction.”
Foster, who was born with a congenital defect in his left leg, has been excelling in sports for his whole life.
At 12 years old, he was faced with the decision to amputate his leg from the knee down. The operation allowed him increased mobility, and never hindered his athletic ambition.
“He’s played every sport, so this was just another challenge he took up,” said, his father, Ray Foster.
Foster emerged as a well-rounded athlete in high school, playing at a high level in varsity volleyball, basketball, golf, and tennis.
Through connections with Volleyball Canada, Foster became motivated to try and earn a spot on the National Men's Sitting Volleyball team earlier this year.
Sitting volleyball bears most of the similarities to regular volleyball, but it is played on a person’s rear end. Although the rules are generally the same, the pace, technique, and movements are completely different.
“We both came in here without a clue of what we were doing,” said Steve Shonosky, Foster's volleyball coach.
“It’s a completely different game,” Foster said. "The movements are isolated. You’re moving with your hands. You use the same skills (as volleyball) but they’re very isolated and you have to fine-tune them to get to where they need to be.”
After attending training camp in March, and selection camp in April, Foster earned a spot on the team.
Despite Foster’s sudden success in his newfound sport, he said he wasn't surprised when he got the news of the selection.
“I was relieved. I knew I put the work in, and I was ready for the challenge so by no means was I surprised.”
Recently, Foster got his first taste of international competition in Columbus, Ohio. He played with the national team in the U.S. Open against Team U.S.A. in an exhibition series.
Foster will be competing amongst teammates for a spot to participate in the Parapan American Games in 2019.
A first-place finish in that tournament would qualify Team Canada for the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan.
“The Paralympics is the end goal and having the opportunity to think about being able to get there is definitely amazing.”
Foster’s success in sports offers a story of courage for those with physical disabilities. He hopes others can find a purpose in sport in the same way he did.
“Sport was definitely a big way for me to rehab and get my mind off of things. For anybody going through a physical challenge, sports are an amazing way to get through a tough time.”
