A memorable experience

Crédit photo: Mélanie Roach

Every year, for Repentigny’s Canadien junior open Championships, we welcome into our city young athletes from all around the world, as well as their family and their trainers.

Therefore, as we host them, essential needs are to be fulfilled. That’s why, three years ago, the foster family program came back. We are looking for some families willing to host in their homes these young athletes, offering them a nice place to sleep and to relax.

Mélanie Roach family

Mélanie, mother of two children is going to be a host family for the third time at this year’s tournament. The story she is telling is from when she hosted the Japanese tennis player Taisei Ichikawa. After his defeat in semifinal last year and one day before leaving Repentigny, Melanie’s children offered to take him to McDonald for his last meal in the city with them. Considering his strict diet, Melanie was not sure it was a good idea, but she proposed her children’s idea to Taisei anyway. That's when she saw a huge smile appearing on his face, as if he had just received one of the most beautiful gifts. Finally, he enjoyed that last meal by picking multiples items from the menu of this fast food restaurant.

In short, Mélanie says that it is an amazing experience for her and for her children, especially as tennis fans, because they get a chance to have a direct and internal contact with the sport by being spectators of the athlete’s sacrifices, his rigor with his diet, his training and his routine. In addition, it requires them to speak English and to learn this language, which is quite beneficial for the learnings of her children.

Being a host family means having a rewarding and cultural experience by welcoming athletes from all over the world. It is a simple and quite short way to give since accommodation lasts an average of 5 to 10 days.

If you are interested in registering your home as a host family for the National Bank Canadian junior open Championship of Repentigny and live an amazing experience, here are the criteria

• Living in the city of Repentigny, or nearby
• Have a closed room at home with at least one bed
• Be open to go through a background investigation by the Police of Repentigny (due to the junior clientele welcomed)
• Offer breakfast

For more information, or to register, please contact Benoit St-Onge, Player’s services Director. Email : [email protected] Phone : 514 554-9683