Team Canada’s Vincent Dallaire never thought he’d get the opportunity to play alongside his biggest influences in the sport.
Dallaire began playing wheelchair basketball in 2002 following an introduction to the game by his physiotherapist. While the Quebec native began his ascent to the National Team, two veteran leaders of the program were leading Canada on the world stage.
Fellow Québécois athlete David Eng, who earned a full-time roster spot with Team Canada in 2004, and star player Patrick Anderson, helped guide Canada to a period of dominance that saw the program capture three gold medals in four Paralympic Games (2000, 2004, and 2012) and a silver medal in 2008.
At the 2018 World Championships in Hamburg, Germany, the 25-year-old Dallaire earned the opportunity to represent Canada next to the legendary duo.
“It’s one of those weird things,” said Dallaire. “I’ve known David for a long time and he’s the kind of guy you look up to. He’s way older than me and you think ‘I’m never going to play with him, it’s just impossible,’ and then I end up playing on the same team with him.
“It’s always weird to realize that Pat is the G.O.A.T. and David is really, really good and if I want to right now, I could take my phone and call them. It’s one of those things you don’t realize until you think about it. It’s part of the experience and you could say later in life that ‘I played with Pat.’
“You just have to go with it.”
Dallaire is now studying at the University of Texas at Arlington, joining the Movin’ Mavs wheelchair basketball program. He once again credits the influence Eng has had on his career so far and the move south of the border.
“With David, it’s a lot about being a good teammate. He’s been captain for as long as I could remember. David came [to the University of Texas at Arlington] before me almost 15 years ago. I was talking to him about it and he said it was a great place to play. The basketball is high-level and getting a degree out of it is great too.”
The road to Tokyo has been met with uncertainty for all athletes over the past year and with Dallaire hoping to make his Paralympic debut this summer, he credits the move to Texas as a key factor in his preparation for the Games.
“It’s going really well. It’s obviously weird with COVID-19, with teams pulling out and tournaments at different times but our team has done amazing. One of the reasons I came to Texas is because of the Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks.
“They are one of the best American teams and they practice with us every week. Being able to play and practice against them every week at a super-high level I think just helped me get better at everything. They’re very good together and very smart so it’s thinking the game at that next level every week.”
Although Team Canada’s leadership group has had a significant impact on his career thus far, it’s ultimately the love of the sport that drives Dallaire each day while competing with the National Team and in Texas.
“I just enjoy it; I think it’s just been fun. There’s no point in doing it if you don’t enjoy it—I don’t see it as work. I never thought in my mind to not continue to play. When I don’t enjoy it then I’ll stop, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon.”
Follow Vincent’s journey @vincedallaire87 with Team Canada on the road to Tokyo:
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