Blainville, Quebec – The 60th edition of the Jeux du Québec is underway in Blainville, and for one family from La Tuque, the event represents a unique blend of athletic achievement and familial pride. Daphné Arvisais is competing in both badminton and table tennis, becoming the first athlete from La Tuque to participate in two sports at the Games. Her story, and that of her family’s involvement, is quickly becoming a highlight of the competition.
Arvisais’ journey in badminton began roughly four years ago, sparked by watching her older brother, Édouard Arvisais, compete in tournaments. She quickly found a passion for the sport, achieving regional success early on. In her first year of competition, she secured second place in regional women’s doubles, followed by a first-place finish the following year, earning her a spot at the provincial level. “I finished 9th, and I really liked the experience,” Arvisais said. “I didn’t even know the Jeux du Québec existed until my brother Édouard went. I was really determined to go ever since.” She qualified for the Games on November 22nd – her birthday.
While relatively novel to competitive table tennis – having picked up the sport just three months ago – Arvisais is embracing the challenge. She and Anabelle Gaudreau automatically qualified for the table tennis competition due to a lack of other regional participants. Arvisais acknowledges she isn’t setting lofty expectations in table tennis, stating, “It’s only been three months since I’ve been competing, but we have a ping-pong table at home for fun. I’m just proud to say that I’m the first athlete from La Tuque to participate in the same Games in two different sports.”
The Arvisais family’s connection to badminton runs deep. Édouard previously competed at the Jeux du Québec and was involved in the “méchants moineaux” tournament. He currently plays for the Électriks du Cégep de Shawinigan and also coaches at École Val-Mauricie. Patrice Arvisais, Daphné’s father, is serving as the coach for the Mauricie team at these Games. A former elite player himself, Patrice has remained actively involved in the sport.
For Patrice, the opportunity to coach his daughter at the Jeux du Québec is particularly meaningful. “I also, like my brother and my father, want to be a coach,” Daphné explained. “I’m currently completing my regional training to be able to coach a team later on.” Patrice echoed this sentiment, stating, “I embarked fully into it. I completed the training I was missing at the regional and provincial coach levels. I already knew I was going to be one of the badminton coaches for the Mauricie team, so when Daphné qualified on November 22nd, it was even more fun to say that I was going to experience the Games with my daughter. I didn’t have the chance to go to the Jeux du Québec in high school.”
He continued, “I’m going to experience something at 54 years old that 14, 15, 16-year-olds are experiencing. I believe that’s really fun!”
Patrice is realistic about the Mauricie team’s overall prospects at the Games, acknowledging the strength of other regions. “The focus is on participation and representing our region well,” he said. The Mauricie team finished 15th with Daphné achieving a 15th-place finish in singles badminton.
The first block of competition concluded on Tuesday, with the second block, including table tennis, beginning on Wednesday. The Arvisais family’s story is a testament to the power of family support and the pursuit of athletic excellence. It’s a narrative that resonates beyond the competition itself, highlighting the values of dedication, perseverance, and the joy of shared experiences.
Daphné’s quick rise in both sports is notable, especially considering her relatively recent entry into table tennis. Her ability to balance training and competition in two disciplines demonstrates a remarkable level of athleticism and commitment.
While Anabelle Gaudreau was not available for comment, her participation alongside Daphné further underscores the growing athletic talent emerging from La Tuque. The Jeux du Québec provide a valuable platform for these young athletes to showcase their skills and gain experience on a provincial stage.
The Jeux du Québec continue through March 7th, with badminton and table tennis competitions taking place at various venues in Blainville. Fans can follow the results and schedules on the official Jeux du Québec website. Badminton Québec is also providing updates on the badminton competition.
What’s Next: Daphné Arvisais will continue her competition in table tennis as the second block of the Jeux du Québec gets underway. Updates on her performance, and the results of other athletes from La Tuque, will be available on the Jeux du Québec website.
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