The Séminaire Saint-François has decided to have its best basketball players play next fall in the new elite basketball circuit (CBQ) elite section initiated by the Quebec Basketball Federation (FBQ). An important change for the best training of the private institution, which leaves the Quebec Student Sport Network (RSEQ) by the same fact.
“This is the choice we made in order to provide the best possible development for our athletes. We think we have a much more competitive schedule that way. We also believe that we will provide a better chance for our top athletes to shine and make themselves known south of the border, ”said the basketball manager at Séminaire Saint-François, David Levasseur.
The excellent Blizzard team will also tour the United States twice, in addition to participating in matches on the new elite CBQ circuit.
“The calendar brings six games against the Quebec teams and eight more against the Ontario teams. The series will be disputed between the formations of Quebec. This is not a disavowal of the RSEQ. We still have 25 teams in the network and we feel we have enough depth in our program to have our second girls juvenile team play in Division 1 of the RSEQ. Obviously, we will revisit our plans if the border remains closed with the United States. “
Alone from the region
For Georges Germanos, project coordinator for the FBQ, the Séminaire Saint-François is far from receiving a privilege by being the only school in the Capitale-Nationale of the new elite circuit accepted in this network of regional regrouping. The only other RSEQ establishment is Jeanne-Mance High School in Montreal, also recognized as a powerhouse in women’s basketball.
“We want to put girls on the map with this new initiative. We want to have the 84 best young girls from secondary 4 and 5 who play against each other, and there is big female talent in Quebec.
“The CBQ program started four years ago, and this year we are adding the elite component. There are a number of conditions to be met, including a minimum percentage of representation on regional and provincial star teams. It is not an acquired right, you have to perform to be part of the circuit. The agreement is good for two years and there will be a reassessment after that time, ”explains Mr. Germanos.
The importance of dreaming
David Levasseur also wishes with this new project to change the perspective of his top players.
“It’s not for everyone, but I want girls to be able to achieve their ambitions. I don’t want our players to be held back by a lack of vision for our organization. We want to maintain this dream of going to evolve in the best American universities and even in the professional ranks in WNBA or elsewhere. If they want to come back to play in Quebec, there is no problem either, but they will be able to have a choice. Gone are the days of playing just to win banners, you have to develop the athlete to his or her full potential. “
A vision shared 100% by the school director, Luc Savoie.
“We don’t go into this backwards. We want to stay there for a long time and we think we have the depth through our program to do so. It is believed to be good for women’s sport, which often lacks role models to nurture the ambition of athletes. “
Caution in student sport
The big boss of the RSEQ, Gustave Roel, was still waiting for a feedback from the FBQ on the development of the project.
“There are discrepancies between what we received as a presentation of the Federation and what seems to be the reality on the ground. My perception is that the players who would play in this circuit would also play in Division 1 of our league. The aim is to slow down the migration of talent and not to do the opposite. “
