Mario Delisle (Head Coach, Boccia Canada)
Mario Delisle has over twenty years of experience in the sport of boccia. He has worked as boccia classifier and referee, but his real love lies in coaching. He is currently a Master Learning Facilitator within the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) as well as a Level 4 Chartered Professional Coach. He loves the complexity and technicality of the sport of boccia which shows in his results. In 2004, at his first Paralympic Games in Athens, Delisle was assistant coach and in charge of the BC1 and BC2s. At Athens 2004 Paul Gauthier won two medals and Alison Kabush one medal. He was also Head Coach, and Paul Gauthier’s personal trainer, when Gauthier won gold at the 2007 Boccia World Cup in Vancouver. He was Head Coach when Marco Dispaltro and Josh Vander Vies won bronze at the 2012 London Paralympic Games as well.
Delisle’s favourite memories have been made, not only at the international level, but at the provincial and national level as well. He has loved seeing athletes improve over time, discover boccia as a sport they can play with a disability, and being a part of many Canadian Boccia Championships hosted in both his province of Québec and across Canada.
“Coaching has always been a passion of mine because I like challenges. We work closely with individuals that are constantly challenged in terms of their health and the impact of their disability. Being able to adjust properly and to communicate well is a way to overcome these challenges. It’s what draws me to the sport.”
César Nicolai (BC4 Coach, Boccia Canada)
César Nicolai has been involved in boccia for over ten years in various roles. He has been BC4 Coach since 2012 and currently has completed his Advanced Coaching Diploma through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). Nicolai’s philosophy is to remain positive and find solutions to predicaments on the court with clear communication between him and the BC4 athletes. Nicolai’s accomplishments include numerous medals at international competitions and a bronze medal at the 2012 London Paralympics with BC4s Marco Dispaltro and Josh Vander Vies.
César has many hobbies outside of boccia. He loves comics, reading, and playing various sports including AA Wheelchair Basketball.
“Boccia is a sport that, in principle, seems very simple. In fact, if you sit down in front of an athlete and throw your first balls you quickly understand the depth and complexity of the sport. It’s a newer sport which means there is still a lot to learn. I love the tension in competition and watching my athletes perform under pressure. I love that the athletes thrive completely in the sport of boccia. On a human level, this sport is incredible. We are constantly challenged as coaches with the differences in disabilities and abilities of our athletes. We must constantly adapt and question ourselves in order to find the best way for them to perform, as well as get through their daily challenges as a person living with a disability. Those are some of the things that make me passionate about the sport of boccia.”
Q & A with César
Q: How close are you with the BC4s? It seems that you all have mutual respect for each other and are a strong unit both in competition, training, and life.
A: Coaching the same athletes and being coached by the same coach for all of your years is not always easy, you have to be able to question yourself to listen and communicate constantly. I am very attentive to my athletes and I advocate for constant communication especially in times of crisis or problems.
Q: How far have you come from your first years coaching to now?
A: When I started coaching boccia at the end of 2009 I didn't know much about the sport. My experience was limited to a few volunteer sessions with the national group during the summer of that year. I also had the chance to fulfill the role of performance partner during a competition during the 2009 Boccia Blast. Since then, I have learned to understand, analyze, and study boccia both in its technical-tactical aspects and the human side as well. Boccia has been evolving for 10 years and it continues to evolve. The sport becomes more and more professional as the level of play increases every year. Since my start with the team I have improved a lot as a coach but, above all, as a person.
Q: The BC4s win many medals at international competitions - was it always this way? How did you develop into the coach you are today?
A: I have participated in more than 25 international boccia competitions. The athletes I have coached have won around 28 medals in all of these competitions since 2012. We have managed to be fairly consistent in the level of medals won over the years, however every year it becomes increasingly difficult. The number of countries and athletes are increasing and the number of places on the podium does not. So yes, I am fortunate to have had consistent success over the years with my BC4 athletes, however 2019 was the most prolific year in terms of results and medals. A pre-Paralympic year with a lot of pressure and I learned a lot. The experience of all these events, successes and failures has definitely helped me advance in my coaching role and career. I am definitely very far today from the young coach who made his debut on the Québec team in October 2009.
Simon Larouche (BC3 Coach, Boccia Canada)
Simon Larouche has been involved with boccia for approximately ten years. He’s held positions as performance partner, referee, assistant coach, sports analyst, and then moved his way up to BC3 Coach of the National Boccia Training Squad. Larouche is starting his Advanced Coaching Diploma within the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) this fall. Some of Larouche’s accomplishments include medals at international competitions and grooming rising star Danik Allard over the course of his debut on the international stage. The fact that his BC3s missed the Paralympics by 1.3 points cast a shadow over Larouche but it is a testament to what he is capable of accomplishing as a coach. He continues to think positive as well as keeps his standards and expectations high.
“Try to do your best, think outside the box, and challenge yourself every day. My ultimate goal is to make it to Paris 2024 with my BC3s. Remember: boccia never stops surprising!”
Ed Richardson (BC1 & BC2 Coach, Boccia Canada)
Ed Richardson has been involved with boccia since 2003 in his role of performance partner for his son, Brock Richardson, who was part of the National Boccia Training Squad for several years. He has been influential in the development of boccia athletes from the competitive to elite level. He is currently Head Coach of the Ontario team as well as in charge of the BC1s and BC2s of the National Boccia Training Squad. He has watched several of the BC1s and BC2s medal at international events, including BC2 athlete Danik Allard at the 2019 Sao Paulo America Regional Championships.
Richardson has enjoyed making memories over the years by working at the grassroots to elite level of play. He is often heard encouraging the athletes with the philosophy, “Play with confidence.” We look forward to what’s in store for Ed’s BC1 and BC2s in the lead up to Paris 2024.