Now a tradition to usher in the New Year, the Aléo and Georges St-Pierre Foundations' awards ceremony highlighted seven up-and-coming student-athletes in combat sports and gymnastics, encouraging them to pursue their careers with bursaries of $2,000 or $4,000. One of the recipients is Talia Birch, 18, from Vaudreuil-Dorion.

She received a $4,000 bursary. She won gold at the Canada Games in the under-53 kg class in March 2023, and is a 2nd-year student in natural sciences at John Abbott College. 

She started boxing only two years ago, as a physical activity to get in shape! With her unique talent, she progressed at a rapid pace to win gold at the Canada Games in the under 53 kg category in March 2023, the most memorable moment of her young career, says the Fondation Aléo. 

"Year after year, we are fortunate to collaborate with Georges St-Pierre, a world champion with a big heart, who never hesitates to invest in the success of our scholarship recipients. Not only does Georges give scholarships, he also gives of his time and shares his invaluable knowledge with the recipients. He's one of the great ones, and a first-rate ally who lives up to the world-renowned reputation of this man," said Martin Lavigne, President of the Fondation Aléo. 

Recipients had the chance to meet, talk and even demonstrate their discipline with former world mixed martial arts champion, philanthropist and entrepreneur Georges St-Pierre. Making a point of being present to meet the scholarship recipients, he gave each athlete special attention and a genuine interest in their successes and challenges.

"All these sporting disciplines, individually and combined, have shaped who I have become. Sport has forged my life and offered me lessons that have been and will be useful to me for the rest of my life. It's important for me to recognize this contribution and encourage young people to continue along this path. And personally, I'm always fascinated and inspired to discover them as human beings and to learn a little more about their backgrounds. It's a precious moment for all of us," he emphasized at the presentation. 

One of the objectives of the FGSP Scholarship Program is to support student-athletes practising a sport that Georges St-Pierre included in his preparation: boxing, fencing, artistic gymnastics, judo, karate, wrestling and taekwondo.