An incident involving racism occurred following the division 1 Bol d'or final in the juvenile category between Loups de Curé-Antoine-Labelle and the Condors de Saint-Jean-Eudes.
The Quebec team won this match by a score of 27 to 25. The young people then filmed themselves during the celebrations in the locker room to the rhythm of the popular song Mo Bamba de Sheck Wes. Le hic?
In the video, they sing the lyrics “I got h*** calling a young n**** phone.” This use of the “n” word occurs while some players hold up a poster to the camera Let's put racism out of the gamemaking fun of the campaign launched by the Quebec government on the sidelines of this sporting weekend.
“Benevolence, respect, openness and collaboration remain values that guide our organization and which are an integral part of the sporting spirit that we wish to instill in our young people, particularly when they get involved in a school sports team, notes the Wolves organization. We find this situation most deplorable and unacceptable.»
“For the Wolves team, which had just experienced a difficult defeat, this video was a shock,” says the mother of a player who wishes to remain anonymous. In addition to sporting humiliation, they had to face what was perceived as a lack of respect, or even a direct insult.
She adds that “the diversity which characterizes them, usually a strength, seems here to have been mocked or ignored in a gesture which cruelly lacks sensitivity”.
Sanctions
Christopher Skeete, Minister responsible for the Fight against Racism, was informed of the situation the day after the matches.
“It proves that the campaign put in place was necessary,” he says. The young people who did this don't realize how hurtful it could be. […] They used the message to ridicule him. This kind of speech never has its place, even in joke.»
The CAQ member for Sainte-Rose believes that this gesture is a good opportunity to start a discussion with young people, believing that there must be sanctions.
Olivier Ruelland-Giguère, head of the Saint-Jean-Eudes Condors program, specifies that the file was quickly managed internally and that “it is not a gesture that represents our institution”.
Additionally, no coaches were in the locker room during the recording.
“As early as Sunday, the young people in question came to meet us,” explains Mr. Ruelland-Giguère. They were very dejected. This was not their intention in any way. Everything has been removed from social media and we have been in communication with general management.”
“The RSEQ (Quebec Student Sports Network) has been made aware of the situation,” assures its general director Stéphane Boudreau, who was involved in the matter. We are in communication with the school administration.”
The head of the Condors program explains that the sanctions will notably involve “remedial actions which are already underway”.
On a more positive note
The Curé-Antoine-Labelle Wolves youth team concluded the 2024 regular season with a 6-2 record, which allowed it to get its hands on the fourth regular season title in its history. This is in addition to the second place obtained in the playoffs.
“Despite the many challenges encountered throughout the season, the Wolves showed exemplary fighting spirit and resilience, since they played 5 out of 10 matches which ended with a difference of 2 points or less,” explains l school organization. These exceptional performances not only marked the history of the team, but also had a significant impact on the Curé-Antoine-Labelle school community.”
The Laval program achieved this feat in a circuit counting on several training courses from the private sector.
“It’s an enviable program,” said Christopher Skeete proudly. It is one of the rare schools in the public network that succeeds in doing well. […] Not only do we manage to have a program that is the envy of many schools, but they do it with fewer resources, in addition to encouraging student perseverance. It’s a real gem.”
Continue the fight
The national campaign Let's put racism out of the game will continue in the coming weeks.
“The goal is to say that it is never acceptable to make racist remarks in sport, even for trashtalk or if we do not agree with the arbitrator, recalls Mr. Skeete. It's the same thing for the parents in the stands. This is not acceptable in any situation.”
The RSEQ's collaboration in this initiative will also make it possible to spread the message among the student community.
“We want to act on young people who are already well aware, but who, clearly, would benefit from being even more aware. By using sport, a place of emotion, I think we are in the right place,” adds the member for Sainte-Rose.
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