Sports Notes - Neil Johnson retires from Team Canada - September 2007

James Loving NR 2005 Tournament MVP Neil Johnson.

James Loving - National Radio Text Service - Johnson feature by the 2007 World Organisation for Volleyball Disabled (WOVD)

Johnson was recognized as a true leader in his sport, being voted in by his peers as the international player representative for Standing Volleyball.

Ottawa, ONTARIO Canada - Tuesday September 4, 2007

After a stellar 11-year career, Neil Johnson, captain of the Men’s National Standing Volleyball Team, has decided to hang up his national team Mizuno’s, and retire from the national disabled team program.

Johnson started his international career with the National Standing Team in 1996 as a lanky 15-year old, who had been competing in Glencoe for his high-school team where he eventually won a provincial high-school championship. From there Johnson moved on to Mount Royal College in Calgary, where he earned a spot on the starting line-up, and earned awards such as volleyball MVP, pan-athletics rookie of the year, 1st team all-conference, and academic all-Canadian.

Following that, he completed his studies at the University of Calgary, where he also earned a spot on the starting line-up of the Dinos Men’s Volleyball Team. Johnson was recognized as a true leader in his sport, being voted in by his peers as the international player representative for Standing Volleyball. He not only broke down barriers in Canada, but also abroad, playing professional volleyball amongst his able-bodied peers in Germany for the 2004-2005 season again on the starting line-up.

Throughout his academic years, Johnson remained with the National Standing Team, making a great contribution to the team’s success. As Johnson matured as a player, so did the team. The results speak for themselves – 2000 Paralympic Silver medal, World Cup Silver in 2003, World Cup Gold in 2005, and World Championship Gold in 2002, 2004, and 2006 – results that few Canadian National Teams in any sport can boast.

Along the way, he collected numerous individual awards as well – his trophy case is bursting at the seams. Johnson’s presence, both on and off the court, will of course be dearly missed, and Volleyball Canada, along with the entire Canadian volleyball community, wishes him the very best in all his future endeavours.

Johnson said “It was with mixed emotions that I came to this decision. I’m looking forward moving on, but I will certainly miss competing alongside such an amazing group. The athletes, coaches and staff in this program have done so much for me, and I honestly believe that they are one of the biggest bright spots in Canadian sport.

"Very few programs in our country have seen such success. I look back at everything we’ve accomplished together in the eleven years I’ve been with the program – it’s been remarkable. I have to sincerely thank everyone involved over that time. I’m looking forward to watching the team accomplish even more in the years to come. They are in great hands, and there is a great group of young players that will keep us on the podium for a long time.

"I may not be a player any more, but I will always be a fan. Finally, I’m proud to have seen first-hand how the sport can affect the quality of life for disabled people in developing nations. As much as volleyball has done for me, it has done much more in rehabilitating nations, like Cambodia and Rwanda. I hope that Team Canada continues to lead the way in sharing the sport with even more countries that need it. There are a lot of them.”

Lawrence Flynn – Committee Chair, Team Canada Disabled Volleyball noted, “Neil’s contribution to volleyball for athletes with a disability can probably best be measured by the commitment shown around the world for the sport. Neil’s story, starting his international competitive career as a fresh faced young high school student in 1996, playing professionally in Europe, winning world championships, repeated all star selections, the respect of both team mates and opponents… this is what all athletes strive to achieve.

"The door will always be open to any further contribution from Neil, both on and off court. His understanding of the game and what it takes to win, is a resource that Volleyball Canada hopes to continue to benefit from in the future.”

Phil Allen – Team Manager, Men’s Standing Volleyball Team said, “I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Neil progress first-hand in his international volleyball career, and it is indeed sad to see him hang up his shoes. However, he has truly left behind a legacy for others to be inspired by. Neil was always the consummate professional, taking his role on the team very seriously, and was as a result respected by team-mates and peers alike.

"I hope to have the pleasure of working with Neil again soon as Standing Volleyball develops further both in Canada and abroad. I’d like to thank Neil for his enormous contribution to sport for athletes with a disability – it means a lot to a great number of people.”

RELATED STORY

CANADA TOPS IN VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT FOR THE DISABLED

World #1 Canada walked away with the AOCVD Standing Volleyball Championship today. The Canadians were undefeated in their nine tournament games. On the final day they defeated Cambodia's # 2 team 3-0. --- Full Story

World Cup Information

© Copyright: National Radio. Any use of these materials, whole or in part, is prohibited unless authorized in writing by National Radio. Contact: nationalradio@yahoo.com All rights reserved.