Badminton and French lessons for Duncan player in Laval

Duncan badminton player Ben Kremer represented Colombie-Britannique (Team B.C.) at the Canadian Francophone Games in Laval, Quebec, from July 15 to 19.

Though he did not win a medal, the experience was unforgettable for the Duncan Christian School Charger.

“I had a lot of good matches,” Kremer said. “I played against some teams with prior experience in national tournaments, so I was constantly pushing myself as a player. My most memorable game was in men’s doubles against Team Alberta. They had the strongest doubles team, and my teammate and I played well together.”

In that match, Kremer and his partner held a five-point lead in the second set but were unable to force a deciding third set.

The experience extended beyond badminton. Kremer enjoyed the challenge of communicating entirely in French and had the chance to immerse himself in Laval’s culture.

“We competed for seven days, and in the evenings we had activities like team-building exercises or exploring the city,” he explained. “I found it very challenging to speak only French and converse with native speakers. Over time, though, it became easier, and by the end, speaking French was no longer an issue.”

The games also offered a chance to build friendships with students from across Canada in a French-language environment, all while playing a sport he loves.

More than 1,200 athletes, coaches, and support staff attended the eighth annual multi-sport and arts competition. Team B.C. included 93 competitors and finished with 11 medals: two gold, two silver, and seven bronze.