LONGUEUIL, Quebec – At just 18 years old, Édouard Arvisais of La Tuque, Quebec, is quickly making a name for himself in Canadian collegiate badminton. The athlete, currently competing for the Électriks du Cégep de Shawinigan, is preparing to participate in the Canadian University and College Championships, taking place from March 19th to 21st at Cégep Édouard-Montpetit in Longueuil.
For Arvisais, this tournament represents a significant opportunity to test his skills against a higher level of competition. “It’s a huge tournament,” he explained. “There will be university players as well, so the level will be very high. For me, it’s mainly a learning tournament to see where I stand and improve for the future.” The unique format of the championships, bringing together both collegiate and university teams, promises challenging matchups for all competitors.
Balancing Academics and Athletics
Arvisais isn’t just focused on badminton; he’s also a full-time student pursuing a degree in human sciences, with a focus on psychosocial studies at Cégep de Shawinigan. Juggling coursework, training, and competition requires discipline and time management. “I play practically six days a week,” Arvisais said. “I have several practices during the week and often tournaments on the weekend. It’s not easy, but I still manage to balance sports and studies well.”
The start of the season presented some challenges for the Électriks team, as they temporarily lacked access to their gymnasium. Players adapted by practicing with student partners until the facilities became available again. Despite this initial hurdle, Arvisais quickly adjusted to the demands of collegiate-level badminton. “I thought it was going to be much tougher than it is,” he admitted. “I was surprised. The level is good, but I felt capable of competing from the first tournament.”
Dominating in Doubles Play
Arvisais has particularly excelled in men’s doubles this season. Partnered with Jean-Nicolas Normandin, the duo currently holds the top ranking in the regional standings. “Our goal would be to win a medal together this season. We know we are capable of reaching the finals,” Arvisais stated confidently.
At the Canadian Championships, however, Arvisais will team up with a different partner, Olivier Dion, a first-year university student from Sept-Îles. “The goal is to at least get a win and play well. That will already be a good experience,” he said, looking ahead to the competition.
A Rapid Rise in the Sport
What’s striking about Arvisais’s journey is the speed of his progress. He only began playing competitive badminton in Secondary 2, after the pandemic. His talent quickly caught the attention of his coaches, and he was invited to prepare for the Quebec Games. “That’s when I really started training more seriously. We often traveled to Shawinigan to practice with collegiate and university players. That helped me a lot to progress,” he explained.
Arvisais’s motivation is simple: a relentless desire to improve and avoid repeating past mistakes. “When I lost against someone, I told myself I never wanted to lose to them again. I trained to come back stronger at the next tournament.” This dedication is clearly paying off, as he continues to climb the ranks in the competitive badminton world.
Giving Back to the Community
Arvisais isn’t just focused on his own success; he’s also committed to developing the sport within his community. He volunteers as a coach at Val-Mauricie High School, sharing his passion for badminton with younger players. He also played a key role in the success of the Méchants Moineaux civil tournament, organized in La Tuque to attract players from outside the region.
“We used to travel to several cities for tournaments, so we thought, why not organize one here at home? Plus, it helps the club buy equipment, like feather shuttlecocks for provincial competitions,” he explained, highlighting the tournament’s positive impact on local badminton development.
Looking Ahead: University and Beyond
In the medium term, Arvisais aims to continue his progress at the university level. He aspires to earn a spot on the team at Université Laval. “There are a lot of good players there. My goal would be at least to be good enough to participate in team competitions,” he said.
On the civil circuit, he also hopes to improve his ranking, moving from Category C to B, and eventually to A. For now, Arvisais is focused on maximizing his experience at the national championships this week. “I just desire to play without pressure and see how far I can proceed,” he concluded.
Arvisais and the other competitors will be in action at Cégep Édouard-Montpetit in Longueuil from March 19th to 21st. Fans can follow the tournament results and updates through the Badminton Canada website. The Canadian University and College Championships promise to be a showcase of emerging talent in the sport, and Édouard Arvisais is poised to be one of the players to watch.
Worth a look
