General News
17 September, 2021
Hose preparing for next chapter
LOCAL Paralympian Josh Hose is not entirely closing the door on his international career despite conceding the recent Paralympics were likely his last.
LOCAL Paralympian Josh Hose is not entirely closing the door on his international career despite conceding the recent Paralympics were likely his last.
The 34 year-old ventured to Tokyo for his third games with the Australian Steelers squad in search of a third gold medal.
The side ultimately fell short, with the Steelers finishing fourth after playing off for bronze against host nation Japan.
Hose, who was previously retired before returning for this year’s games, said it was likely he would transition into an off-court role post this year’s games.
However, he did not 100 per cent rule out trying to earn a spot for the 2024 games in Paris.
“Oddly enough I just had my review with my coach and he thinks I’ve done what I can to this point but he still wants me to be around the side whether that be at trainings or with the development squad,” Hose said.
“It’s probably ties in with my job with mentoring. I think I’m stepping aside but I’ll still play local league and state but I think I would find it hard to maintain a spot (in the Aussie team).
“There is an element of that (never say never) but I guess you can never rule out another John Farnham return.”
Hose, who is set to exit hotel quarantine today, said the future was exciting for both himself and the team.
If he transitions into the off-court role, he is still going to shape the Steelers to some degree while the team starts to blood youth.
“There’s lots of new players coming through, especially in the last year or so I’m really excited to watch them and hopefully do my part in their development,” Hose said.
“I’m really looking forward to that opportunity and seeing Australia rebound from this fourth place because I think we’re better than that and we want to better that in Paris.”
Not that they were far away in Tokyo, but the difference in preparations compared to other countries was noticeable, according to the Camperdown local.
“We went win-loss-win and I guess a few things fell our way with respect to goal margins but at the end of the day you have to give credit where credit is due,” Hose said.
“The other teams were too good and we have a few areas we need to improve.
“We had a player go down to illness and they were pretty instrumental in a couple of our line-ups with our combinations but it definitely showed the European teams had more game fitness and game time.
“They were really succinct and clean whereas whenever we had turnovers it showed on the scoreboard.”
Nonetheless, Hose rates this year’s games highly.
“Given everything up to one to two weeks out, the games were still a chance to be cancelled so I think Japan did a great job considering all the challenges,” he said.
“They were a more than gracious host, like travelling from the village to the stadium, I guess the optics showed a different picture from the Olympics to the Paralympics, but everyone was on the intersections waving and the volunteers were more than helpful.
“Even the restrictions themselves, they were pretty high protocols and what not but we had a hotel to ourselves and were wearing masks up until bed and having regular spit tests but once you got into a routine it was enjoyable.
“Not having spectators was disappointing but we knew that well in advance and all the support on social media and from everyone back home was greatly appreciated and overwhelming in a way.”
Hose also said he had been appreciative of his home country’s embracing of the Paralympics.
He said it was great to see the Paralympics feature more prominently on television, while medallists receiving equal pay to the Olympic winners was also a big step forward.
However, it was the support from his home town and seeing his picture on Australia’s well-known landmarks which really humbled him.
“It was great having all the support from the community and the schools,” Hose said.
“There was a lot of messages individually to me personally and through the para social media (accounts).
“It’s greatly appreciated and something I will always remember from this experience, everyone was so supportive and embraced myself and the team.
“To also have pics of all the Paralympians on the Sydney Opera House was amazing to see. It’s been an experience.”
