Jamie Broder

Biography

Jamie Broder and partner Kristina Valjas made history in April 2015 when they became the first Canadian women to ever win an FIVB World Tour medal, taking gold at the season-opening Fuzhou Open in China. They had advanced to the final by upsetting three-time Olympic gold medallist Kerri Walsh and her Olympic silver medallist partner April Ross of the United States. The Canadian duo had ended their 2014 season on a high, achieving their first ever top-five World Tour finish at the Parana Open in Argentina. They found themselves back on the podium with a third place finish at the Lucerne Open in May and had a near-miss at the Porec Major Series in Croatia when they finished fourth. Looking for a blocker to join forces with, Broder first teamed with Valjas in November 2011. Together they won the NORCECA continental title in 2013 and 2015. At just 5’7”, Broder is one of the shortest players on tour, which motivates her to prove people wrong about her abilities and play bigger than her height to take advantage of opponents who underestimate her. In their first Olympic appearance at Rio 2016, Broder and Valjas advanced to the round of 16 where they were defeated by fellow Canadians Sarah Pavan and Heather Bansley to finish tied for ninth.

Getting to know…

Family: Parents Bob and Kathy Broder were both athletic, her father as a swimmer at the University of Alberta and her mother as a triathlete… Older brothers Jeff and Brad… Getting into the Sport: Started playing beach volleyball at age 15… Stumbled into it because her friends all played during night sessions… Played indoor volleyball and other sports (soccer, basketball, track and field) up to grade 12… Outside Interests: Graduated from UBC’s Sauder School of Business with a Bachelor of Commerce (human resource management and real estate) in 2009… Enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, running, snowboarding… Passionate about healthy cooking and making food that is easy to travel… Odds and Ends: Nicknames: Brodes, J-Bro… Favourite quote: “And though she be but little, she is fierce.” – William Shakespeare… Got a small tattoo of a star on her foot while in Thailand… Began working with Right to Play in fall 2014…