Canada: two-time Olympian TJ Sanders retires from the national team.

Two-time Olympian TJ Sanders retires from Canada national team.

“Thank you to all my teammates over the years who I was lucky enough to battle alongside with. There are many people who impacted my career and life that I don’t have space to mention here, but know that I appreciate and acknowledge your time, energy, and heart put into helping me live my dream, you know who you are!” he said.

The Canada National Team member, who was very much involved in ending the 24-year Olympic drought for the ‘Maple Leaves’, TJ Sanders, announced his retirement from the sport.

The 30-year-old University of McMaster alumnus went from being a floor sweeper for the FIVB World League at Budweiser Gardens, London, Ontario, in 2007 to serve as a staple on the senior national team for nearly 10 years.
He participated in two Olympic Games, in 2016 and 2021. Before a serious back injury ended his career, he helped Canada to win a World League bronze medal in 2017. His abroad professional ambitions were hindered by the injury, but he recovered well enough to help Canada qualify for and participate in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Previously, Sanders helped Canada win a gold medal at the NORCECA Continental Championship in 2015.

The setter began his pro career in 2014 and has played in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland, and Turkey. Highlights from his career overseas include being Swiss Champions in 2015 with Lugano, finishing second in the Turkish Championship with Arkas Spor Izmir in 2017, and winning the Polish Cup with Trefl Gdańsk in 2018.