Lance got involved in boccia while attending high school at Lockerby Composite School but it wasn’t until after high school that he started competing professionally. After a few years, he took a pause to focus on post-secondary and start a family. He earned both an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Business Administration at Laurentian. For the past nine years, he has been an Accessibility Advisor at Laurentian University. He returned to boccia a few years later, approaching competition seriously and quickly rising to an international level.
When he returned to the sport in 2017 he knew that Tokyo 2020 would be a tight timeline but set his sights on Paris 2024. Now Lance has qualified to compete in the BC 1 category of men’s individual boccia.
“For any boccia player competing at the international level, the Paralympics is the pinnacle of our sport,” Lance says. “Preparing for it is intense but it is completely worth it and I am incredibly proud to represent Canada at the Paralympic Games.”
Lance dedicates 10-12 hours each week to honing his skills both on and off the court. His rigorous training regimen includes mental preparation with a sports psychologist, strategic sessions with his coach, meticulous analysis of game footage, and at least eight hours of throwing time a week.
Balancing these demands alongside his professional responsibilities and family commitments has been challenging, but Lance attributes his success to his unwavering support system, which he affectionately calls his "Success Army." This team includes his practice partner, performance partner, coach, as well as friends, family, colleagues, and his wife Danielle, whose support and involvement in every decision are invaluable.
“Striking a balance between work, family, and boccia is challenging,” Lance says. “I’m grateful that everyone in my life is extremely supportive. My colleagues are happy to see me succeed and I’m deeply grateful for their help supporting my students during this crucial time. Their encouragement and collaboration serve as a powerful example for the students we work with.”
Lance hopes to come home from Paris with Gold. Looking beyond Paris 2024, Lance is not sure what the future holds and remains open to all potential opportunities. His main goal will always be to inspire others to pursue their dreams. He believes his journey serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and support in achieving goals, saying, "If I’m able to do all this, what’s stopping you?"
As Lance heads to Paris to represent Canada, his story resonates as a testament to the triumph of community, passion, and hard work.