General News
15 December, 2022
Hall of Fame for Josh
CAMPERDOWN wheelchair rugby export, Josh Hose, has been added to the Victorian University Hall of Fame.
CAMPERDOWN wheelchair rugby export, Josh Hose, has been added to the Victorian University Hall of Fame.
The former Olympian, who first retired from the sport after the 2016 Olympics “only to sneak back into the Aussie team for the 2020 Games”, is now “officially retired from international competition” and, as such, qualified for the highly prestigious Hall of Fame award.
He studied a certificate in disability studies at Victoria University in 2013 and graduated 12 months later.
Speaking with The Camperdown Chronicle earlier this week from his home in Melbourne, Hose said he was totally surprised but “thrilled” with the recognition.
“I can honestly say I’m now officially retired from international competition, and have been since the conclusion of the 2020 games,” he said.
“Being recognised on the sporting Hall of Fame alongside some of the greats such as Andrew Gaze and Melanie Jones is mind blowing.
“I certainly have never thought of myself as being in the same league as Andrew, Melanie and many of the other names on that board. It’s an absolute honour and a privilege.”
Hose moved to Melbourne in 2009 and has enjoyed a long and successful sporting career which has included performances at several Olympic Games; 2012 in London, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro and 2020 in Tokyo, and has even dabbled in track events.
“The 200m and 400m events were quite the experience; to go from a team sport like wheelchair basketball to an individual pursuit was quite the challenge but one I really enjoyed,” he said.
“I’ve travelled all over and enjoyed stints in Switzerland and Arizona.
“I spent about 10 months in Tucson (Arizona) where I played two seasons with the Wildcats; that was a great experience.”
While Hose may have retired from international competition, today he still enjoys sport at a more “casual level” but confesses to being just as competitive as ever.
“I guess the competitive streak in me is still there; I play to keep fit and to keep the arms moving. There’s definitely not the intense pressure of international level but I still work hard at it,” Hose said.
He is also dedicated to helping others overcome life’s obstacles and challenges through his full-time work with AQA (supporting people to live well with spinal cord injuries and other complex conditions), working alongside the Austin Hospital.
“Next Australia Day will mark 18 years walking and 18 years in a wheelchair for me,” Hose said.
“My job as a peer support co-ordinator enables me to help educate and upskill others in wheelchairs; to show them there are so many opportunities out there and to give them an insight into those possibilities.”