Collège Lionel-Groulx paid tribute to two badminton enthusiasts, Denis Vézina and Alain Gauthier, who are leaving the Nordiques organization.
After six years of work, the two have decided to devote themselves to other projects, although they will never be too far from their sport.
Denis Vézina will continue his commitment to school badminton, but he will take advantage of the time he will have to attend more school training sessions and support his daughters who are continuing their studies and practicing elite badminton.
As for Alain Gauthier, it is the retirement of training. After 32 years as a coach, he is turning the page. “It’s a little something. It makes you dizzy. I had walked around the garden. It doesn’t hurt your heart. I know that there are caliber coaches who are taking over, ”he agrees. However, he assured Mr. Vézina of his presence as a volunteer for the school tournaments.
For six years, Denis Vézina and Alain Gauthier have worked body and soul to set up a collegial structure for the next generation at Lionel-Groulx college. Previously, there was no bridge to connect the school network to the university network. “The first year, we struggled to recruit 12 athletes. We finally managed to train 40 players. This is unheard of. We had a great team, ”say the two men.
Alain Gauthier indicates that they have been able to be proactive in bringing the college network to modify its regulations to allow more players to play against opponents of their caliber.
“We don’t want world champions. We want young people who do well in school and who use badminton as a stress reliever. The higher the number of players, the more the network will end up spawning champions. This is how the sisters Vézina and Maxime Marin were born, ”he says.
The next generation is here
The Nordiques coach, Alain Gauthier, leaves his place to Maxime Petit-Tremblay who will be supported by Charles Dansereault-Ménard and Benoît Millette. “I’ve been assisting Alain at CEGEP for three years. I will go there in continuity. I trained for 11 years with Alain. He taught me 90% of my job. I will stay in the same vein, ”said Maxime Petit-Tremblay.
Denis Vézina is happy to see that these three coaches will replace them.
