Student sports are popular at the Or-et-des-Bois School Service Center, where some 540 athletes wear the colors of one or other of the Mouvement Intrepides teams.
Since 2021, the number of student-athletes in basketball has increased by 35%. This sport alone has 18 of the 35 Intrepid Movement teams and more than half of its student-athletes.
The pandemic has had a detrimental effect on participation, but we have since noticed that there has been a real enthusiasm for student sport, both here and in the region and in Quebec, explains Patrick Lavoie, head of Intrepid Movement. Young people want to move and be part of a team and it shows in our registrations, which have exploded
.
In addition to basketball, the Intrepids are active in volleyball, ultimate, athletics, cross-country cheerleading and badminton, both in primary schools and at Le Transit secondary school or at Le Carrefour high school. .
We are trying to develop new things, such as our concentration in cheerleading or even a concentration in basketball from the 5th year at Transit, adds Patrick Lavoie. Our challenge is to find coaches and platforms, but we are getting there. We also see projects growing in volleyball or cross-country. It’s fun to see so many excited people who are ready to get involved to bring this to our young people.
.
The Intrepid Movement has also just renewed a partnership with the Caisse Desjardins de l’Est de l’Abitibi, which provides for the injection of $100,000, spread over the next five years.
This is important money that helps us develop projects while keeping it as accessible as possible for student athletes. For two years, we have been able to cover the entire cost of our teams who qualify for provincial championships, without having to ask for an additional amount from our athletes.
rejoices Mr. Lavoie.
