UP BETWEEN 6 AND 6:30AM
Depending on where he lives, a young player wakes up between 6 and 6:30am. He then starts the morning routine, with a good breakfast (essential in order to have an effective day), before preparing to leave. “But we have more to do than other kids,” explains Charles-Andreas Bryn, 13. “We have to organize our school supplies and athletic equipment. It is better to get prepared ahead of time in order to make sure you don’t forget anything!” An hour after jumping out of bed, it is time to head to school. Some players use the public transit system while others enjoy a ride from their parents.
AT SCHOOL IN THE MORNING
From the 80 young athletes attending the Impact program, 63 players go to Édouard-Montpetit high school, located two kilometres east of Saputo Stadium. The institution welcomes a large number of young high-level athletes from several sports and is now partnering with the Montreal Impact. The same goes with Lester B. Pearson high school, which is hosting 10 players doing their scholarship in English. The last seven players, attending secondary 5, remain in their own school, for their last year. At Edouard-Montpetit, courses begin at 8:10am and finish around noon.
NOON: BE READY TO EAT WELL
The clock is then ticking: 40 minutes, not a minute more, to eat and get to the bus that will take the players to the training ground, located at cégep Marie-Victorin. This step is not as insignificant as it seems because a young player eating well will be more efficient at practice. “Half an hour is enough to eat… if you’re ready,” said Philippe Eullaffroy, Montreal Impact Director of Player Development. “Our schools are giving advice to our youth, and on our side, in November, we will spend time talking about “invisible preparation”, namely what to eat, when to eat, but also how to recover physically. It will then be up to them to manage everything the right way.”
TRAINING AND STUDYING IN THE AFTERNOON
Following a 20-minute bus ride, players arrive at the brand new sporting complex. It is now 1:15pm. A part of the group heads to the locker room and prepares for a 90-minute training. “Even though every moment in the day is important, that one is definitely on top of the list,” says André-Cédric Zibi, 14. “Physically, it is very demanding and our coaches are always asking for more.” The other group is in a study-room (where disciplinary rules are strict), and homework and lessons are worked on. Three times a week, the supervisor is a teacher specialized in two of the most important subjects, mathematics and French. From 3pm to 4:30pm, roles are reversed: players from secondary 3 to 5 go to their training session while the younger kids are studying.
QUIET NIGHTS
After another busy and filled day, it is time to return home. Just like in the morning, it is done either with the parents’ car or with the public transit system. The lucky ones will be at home starting at 5pm, others around 6pm. Thanks to this well-organized system, they can use the night to relax. “When I get home, my homework is already done,” rejoices Charles-Andreas. “I am with a host family, living with Louis-Philippe Paquin’s family, who is 14 years-old and also in the sport-study program. It is a lot better than being alone! After dinner, we have time to watch television and play video games. It is quiet. I can also go play soccer because we have a playground close to the house.” Staying up late is ill-advised, as they need to sleep well and be in great shape the following day to start the program, once again.
Matthias Van Halst, Impact Media
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