TJ Sanders

Tyler James "TJ" Sanders (born 14 December 1991) is a Canadian male volleyball player. He is a member of the Canada men's national volleyball team, a participant in the 2016 Summer Olympics, a gold medallist at the 2015 NORCECA Championship, and a bronze medalist at the 2015 Pan American Games. Bronze medalist at the 2017 World League where he ranked statistically as the top setter. He won the Polish cup with Trefl Gdansk. He has been sidelined by a back injury, but has helped the Canadian team qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Personal life
TJ Sanders was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Greg and Cindy Sanders. He began playing volleyball at the age of 12 after watching his older sister Sam play club volleyball. Growing up, he played club volleyball for the Forest City Volleyball Club in London, Ontario. TJ Sanders’ Olympic dream began in 2007 when Volleyball Canada was the host of an FIVB World League event in his hometown.

Club
TJ was a member of the Full Time Training Center roster for the 2012/2013 season. He signed his first professional contract with Abiant Lycurgus in October 2013, making his debut for the club in a 3-1 win over Driasma Dynamo. After a successful first season with the club, in which they finished third in the league, TJ signed with the Swiss club PV Lugano. He spent the 2014/2015 season with the club, finishing the season as Swiss champions. TJ signed with MKS Będzin in the PlusLiga for the 2015/16 season. They finished last in the league, and did not make the playoffs.

For the 2016/17 season, TJ Sanders signed with the Turkish club Arkas Spor.

National Team
TJ Sanders was a member of the Canada men's junior national volleyball team from 2010 to 2011. He helped the team finish second at the 2010 Junior NORCECA Championship, and finish 11th at the 2011 U21 World Championship. As well, TJ helped them place 5th at the 2013 Universiade.

TJ joined the senior men's national team program in 2013 as a member of the men's "B" national team, and in 2014 joined the senior men's roster. He was a member of the squad that finished 7th at the 2014 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship, a national team best. In 2015, TJ helped the team win bronze at the Pan American Games, and gold at the 2015 Men's NORCECA Volleyball Championship.

TJ was a member of the squad that finished 5th at the 2016 Summer Olympics. In June 2021, Sanders was named to Canada's 2020 Olympic team.

Sporting achievements

 * National championships
 * 2013/2014 Bronze medal with cup.svg Dutch Championship, with Abiant Lycurgus
 * 2014/2015 Gold medal with cup.svg Swiss Championship, with PV Lugano
 * 2016/2017 Silver medal with cup.svg Turkish Championship, with Arkas Spor
 * 2017/2018 Bronze medal with cup.svg Polish Championship, with Trefl Gdańsk
 * 2017/2018 Simple gold cup.svg Polish Cup, with Trefl Gdańsk
 * National team
 * 2010 Silver medal northamerica.svg Junior NORCECA Championship
 * 2011 Simple silver cup.svg U-21 Pan American Cup
 * 2015 Gold medal northamerica.svg NORCECA Championship
 * 2015 Bronze medal with cup.svg Pan American Games
 * 2017 Bronze medal with cup.svg FIVB World League
 * Others
 * 2022 Gold medal with cup.svg 2022 Puvirnituq Volleyball Championship - Winter Classic