It’s no secret that the Défi sportif AlterGo has incredible volunteers. This year, more than 1,200 of them are stepping up to ensure the event is a success and, above all, to make sure the athletes have the best competitive sports experiences possible.
One of the volunteers is 28-year-old Mathieu Bourassa, who this year is serving as site manager for the Women’s Wheelchair Rugby National Championship.
And although this is his first year in that role, Bourassa’s young age belies an impressive number of years of experience as a volunteer with the Défi sportif AlterGo.
A volunteer at age 7—and even younger
Bourassa’s first official volunteer experience with the Défi sportif AlterGo dates back 21 years.
“My parents got me involved because they themselves have been volunteering here for more than 30 years. My first official job as a volunteer was handing out juice and food in the Sports Lounge—the small cafeteria—when I was 7 years old.”
However, even at that young age, Bourassa was not new to the Défi.
“My parents used to bring me to the Défi sportif AlterGo when I was a baby. They even had a tiny custom jersey made for me.”
Over the years, Bourassa has taken on a variety of volunteer roles: scorekeeping for ball hockey, helping with setup and takedown, working at partner hotels, and—his all-time favourite—welcoming people at the airport.
This year marks his first stint as site manager for the wheelchair rugby events, a role recommended by his aunt Lucie, herself a longtime volunteer at the Défi sportif AlterGo, who is serving as volunteer coordinator this year.
A commitment that extends beyond family
That’s right: Bourassa’s entire family volunteers at the Défi sportif AlterGo, as do many of his family’s friends. It’s one of the things that make his earliest memories of the event so special.
“It wasn’t just my family. It was also our family friends. Almost everyone I knew was involved in one way or another. My mom was in charge of the hockey, my dad managed the scoreboards, our friend André ran the Sports Lounge, my aunt was the venue manager. So everywhere I went, I knew someone.”
The atmosphere of the event also remains etched in Bourassa’s memory.
“I remember my first few years in the Sports Lounge—there was music, big screens, all sorts of things. I especially loved it when the athletes came in after their competitions.”
For Bourassa’s family, volunteering with people who have disabilities comes naturally.
“Several of our family friends have cerebral palsy or other disabilities. One of our close family friends, Sylvie Sauvé, is a former Paralympic champion runner. She later played boccia, and now she coaches it. So all our family and friends are very involved in everything that affects people with reduced mobility or with disabilities.”
The youngest volunteer with the most experience
A few years from now, could Bourassa become the youngest volunteer ever to receive the commemorative plaque marking 30 years of volunteer service at the Défi sportif AlterGo? It’s very possible!
“I don’t have any official stats, but I’m pretty sure I’m the youngest volunteer at the Défi sportif AlterGo to have this many years of experience. I don’t think anyone else has ever had 21 years of seniority at the age of 28. So I’ll probably be the youngest person to receive the 30-year plaque.”
The young man takes great pride in this.
“I love what I do here. Every year is exciting. There are always new people to meet and everything. I’m proud to do this every year and to work toward the same level of seniority as my parents.”
Sharing the joy
What would Bourassa say to encourage other people to volunteer at the Défi sportif AlterGo?
“It’s more than simply helping those of us who are involved in organizing the event. It’s really for the athletes themselves. It’s all about the athletes. For some of them, their sport is their life. These are people whose day-to-day lives are not necessarily easy. It makes them so happy; they’re thrilled. Sharing that joy with others is such a rewarding commitment.”
Thank you, Mathieu!
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