Theo Yerachuk, a student-athlete and member of the Cégep de Valleyfield's Noir et Or soccer team, won the title of Coup de coeur Multi-Prêts 2024 athlete. The competition, for which 13 Quebec athletes were nominated, awarded him two bursaries totalling $3,500, a prize he doesn't want to keep entirely for himself. 

A true team player, Théo is thinking of a way to share his monetary prize with his teammates and those around him. “I have a thought for the people around me, my teammates, but also my loved ones. My grandparents and my parents, who attend all my home games and support me in everything I do. My grandparents even have sweatshirts in the Noir et Or colors (laughs). Everyone congratulates me, but soccer is a team sport, so my team-mates are also important to me, and I find it natural to share my success with them. It's a discipline where everyone can flourish and find something to enjoy. A soccer team can have 70 players,” he sums up. 

Théo therefore pledges to use part of his winnings to spoil his team-mates and loved ones, and to set aside the rest to support himself.“I work part-time, so it's definitely a gift from heaven (laughs). At the same time, I'm not in a financial deficit, so I think it's normal to give back to my coaches and the other players who contribute to my personal development.I don't yet know what form this will take.Maybe an event at some point during the year.I'm thinking about it.For me, it's a source of pride to wear the colors of the Noir et Or, and I know that's the case for my teammates too,” he confides. 

A surprising nomination 

How did Théo learn of his nomination for this competition? “I was quite surprised. At first, I didn't know what it was all about. It was my coach Guillaume Charlebois who asked me to take part in a video interview to talk about the Noir et Or team. Once there, I realized that the interview was with journalist François Bessette, who hosted Sports 30 for a long time on RDS. It was one of my favorite shows, so it was like a dream for me to be able to chat with him. I was happy to be able to talk about how things are going with the team, even though I've only been with the team for a few months. I didn't realize I was receiving a $1,000 bursary - I thought it was a joke. I was surprised, pleasantly surprised, especially as I won and will receive a total of $3,500. It's very exciting,” he explains from the outset, a few days after his victory was confirmed. 

A return to soccer 

Théo has been a member of the Noir et Or for a year, ever since he arrived at Cégep de Valleyfield, where he is studying humanities. He plays receiver for the team.  Last year, in Secondary 5, the Saint-Constant resident returned to soccer at his Lachine high school. 

“I played in Secondary 1 and 2, but I stopped to concentrate on field hockey. I got back into the sport in Secondary 5. When it came time to choose a CEGEP, I knew of only two: André-Laurendeau and John Abbott. At my high school, Collège Sainte-Anne, we had a Noir et Or alumnus who was older than me. It was Samuel Leduc, who took part in the Vanier Cup. I received a message from a local recruiter who wanted to introduce me to the team and the Cégep. I discovered that the team had a great track record and a fine reputation. It had won three gold bowls in three years, a feat that few teams have achieved. It was also close to home, just 35 minutes away. I had a great connection with the coaches and decided to join the ranks of the Noir et Or.”

From his first contact with the group of coaches, Théo was won over by their mentality, their approach to the game and their attitude towards the players. “I like our team spirit and the fact that we're so tightly knit.Our next season looks promising. We've got a good group of players and some talented recruits. I have a feeling it's going to be a great year.I hope people will come out in force to cheer us on when the season kicks off in September.We kick off against the Beauce team, and our first home game will be in mid-September.Come and cheer us on,” he concludes.

Let's recall that this competition aimed to celebrate excellence, performance, the family side and the community of student sport in Quebec in addition to recognizing athletes, their excellence and dedication to sport as well as to their academic career.

The award is divided into two segments. The first is a $1,000 bursary awarded to the finalists by Multi-Prêts Hypothèques and Le Bulletin. The second is an additional $2,500 in financial assistance for the overall winner. Théo received 9,073 votes.