The 2026-2027 school year began at the start of the week at Soualiga College for students of Centre of Excellence and Education through Sport (CEES).
On Monday morning, young athletes and parents gathered for an initial information meeting, an opportunity to reiterate the framework and requirements that will accompany students throughout the year.
“You are not like other students,” declared Marc-Gérald Ménard, president of the CEES and elected official in charge of sports. The program was designed “to give you every opportunity to succeed,” with tailored support to help you balance your studies and athletic training. In return, punctuality, diligence, and exemplary behavior are expected.
A message supported by Charles-Henri Palvair, director of CEES, who also recalled the essential role of families: “There is no high-level athlete without high-level parents”.
The framework will also have to continue at home, including phones being switched off at 21 p.m. and bedtime at 21:30 p.m. “We are going to demand things from your children that you have probably never demanded of them,” he warned.
While the year ahead promises to be demanding, the pre-semester week is off to a gentle start. All morning yesterday, students participated in an initial workshop on the CEES internal regulations, followed by a communication workshop to help them learn to talk more effectively about themselves and their achievements.
The rest of the week, mornings will be divided between injury prevention sessions with a physiotherapist, personal development workshops, and coaching from a mental coach. On Friday, the young people will conclude this integration week with a team-building day organized by the Soualigan Slangs association.
The CEES's objective goes beyond mere sporting performance: "My goal is not for your child to become a world champion (...). My job is to make them high-level individuals," concluded the director. _DR
