Northern Vision Care Youth Athlete of the Month: Kaleb Francoeur

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — September’s Northern Vision Care Youth Athlete of the Month has achieved a lot this year, including multiple medals at pickleball tournaments, earning bronze at provincials in soccer and raising $3,000 for Bluey Days.

Kaleb Francoeur won gold medals in recreational mixed doubles, advanced men’s singles, and advanced men’s doubles events at the Peace Country Pickleball Association’s Ice Breaker Tournament in Taylor on April 29th and 30th.

The 14-year-old finished first in men’s doubles and mixed doubles in Prince George and fourth in men’s doubles with his dad in Penticton. Kaleb and his dad also competed in the Quesnel Billy Barker Days Tournament.

Surprisingly, pickleball isn’t Kaleb’s primary sport, soccer is. He got into pickleball while pandemic restrictions were in place to get out of the house and spend some time with his dad.

“My dad was introduced to it, and he always went, and I was always curious about what it was. So, I always want to go with him,” said Kaleb, noting that his dad got into the sport about six months prior to himself.

The strategy involved in the sport, along with being able to compete alongside his dad, keeps Kaleb returning for more.

“It’s just like a whole mix of things…I just love [pickleball] so much.”

Outside of his pickleball achievements this year, Kaleb always earned a bronze medal with the FSJ Northern Strikers at provincials in the spring.

Kaleb has been playing soccer since he was six and says his favourite moment in the sport was taking part in a Vancouver Whitecaps camp.

“Playing the sport I love and then being able to improve at it too with all these kids that are at my level and even higher just makes me such a better player,” said Kaleb.

“It’s just a really fun experience to travel and then coming back here and being able to tell the boys here and teach them about all the stuff that I learned so we could all get better.”

Kaleb’s primary goal is to earn a soccer scholarship, preferably for the University of British Columbia. Prior to that, Kaleb is focusing on making the high school team when he heads to North Peace Secondary School next year.

“Actually, a couple of universities throughout the states are actually giving out scholarships to pickleball. So, if that ever becomes a thing, that would be cool.”

It has been a year full of achievements for Kaleb, which includes raising $3,000 for the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation’s Bluey Day, where residents raise money and shave their heads to commemorate those with cancer and those who have passed.

This was the second time Kaleb had shaved his head during the event, raising around $4,500 in total.

“So the first time, I joined my friend who was doing it. And my dad and my grandpa both had cancer, so I just want to spread awareness.”

Kaleb also doubled the amount he raised this year compared to the first time he participated in the event.

“It’s fun because I go around the neighbourhoods and all throughout the city and just meet new people and see if they want to donate even online. There are just so many good people in the community.”

Outside of school and sports, Kaleb loves hanging out with his friends and is trying to get as much time outside as possible before the winter hits. He also recently got hired at Orange Julius.

Congratulations to Kaleb Francoeur for being named the Northern Vision Care Youth Athlete of the Month for September.

If the athlete you nominated didn’t win this month, keep nominating! The votes carry over, so keep submitting your picks for the Northern Vision Care Youth Athlete of the Month!