Gabriel Beaudin has been taking his volleyball talents to Brandon for the past two years.
The star volleyballer from Dauphin played with the Brandon Volleyball Club (BVC) for the past two seasons. This past season, Beaudin helped the team finish fourth place at the provincial championships. Playing the game since he was just a young kid, Beaudin has grown into an all-star on the court.
Since then, Beaudin has competed on Team Manitoba at the North American Indigenous Games and also provincially as a member of the Dauphin Clippers.
"It has been a great experience, I've had the chance to work with coaches from the Brandon University Bobcats," said Beaudin. "The knowledge that they have been able to put in my brain has helped me a ton along the way."
As Beaudin's season came to an end with BVC at the national championships, he earned some season-ending hardware. Beaudin was named the 16U Player of the Year. It's the first time that Gabriel has won the prestigious award and it's one that he holds near and dear to his heart.
"That felt good, there were so many players to choose from," offered Beaudin. "It was a pretty big honour to end up being chosen for the award, it's a moment that I will never forget."
A star on the volleyball court, Gabriel does not have all of his eggs in one basket athletically. He's also become an all-star basketball player over the years after picking up the game when he was in grade one. Gabriel has spent countless hours on the hardcourt whether that be competing with Mackenzie Middle School or just a pickup game outside with his friends.
For the past two years, it has also included playing with the Clippers high school's junior varsity team.
"I've worked very hard over the years, getting to play with different guys the past two years has been fun," offered Beaudin.
Beaudin nearly lifted the Clippers to the top of the junior varsity mountain this past season. As one of the team's leaders, alongside his great teammates and coaches, the Clippers ship advanced to the provincial final where they came up short against the Windsor Park Royals.
The Clippers entered the provincial tournament sixth-ranked in the province before going on a great run that saw them end the season with silver medals.
"It kind of sucked coming up just short of winning gold," offered Beaudin. "With that said, it was such a great season. Looking back on it now, we achieved many great things, and should be proud of ourselves."
Beaudin will take his talents to the varsity team next year. Before that, Gabriel is set to put up his talents against the best U16 basketball players in the province. As the Manitoba Summer Games continue to near, Beaudin has cracked the roster for Team 16U West.
"I am super excited, it's a huge honour getting the chance to represent Dauphin," ended Beaudin. "I'm also excited to play with my Clipper teammates, it's our time for some redemption after coming up just short at high school provincials."
The Manitoba Summer Games will take place from August 11-17 in Dauphin and the surrounding area. As we continue to inch closer, stay tuned to 730CKDM as we will continue to highlight local athletes that will compete in the week-long event.
