Charlène Robitaille is a winner. Wherever she went, she not only stood out, but she also triumphed. She’s proof that success stories don’t always have to be fanciful. That simplicity can sometimes be enough.
It was less than an hour before practice for the McGill Martlets. Charlène Robitaille had to do her bandages, take a team photo and chat with The Press.
The interview took place in one of the football team’s meeting rooms, a short walk from the gymnasium.
The 1.82m player arrived in her match uniform. In her bright red sweater and shorts, Number 16 sat down with her foot on the chair, ready to chat.
There is no doubt that Robitaille has a gift for volleyball. She also has an innate talent for putting others at ease the moment she walks into a room. All of her teammates can attest to that. “Before, I was much more embarrassed. Now I can talk to a lot of people and I don’t care. I don’t care what other people will say. I say things and it will be that. Volleyball allowed me to get out of my comfort zone,” she explains, playing with her necklaces.
Volleyball transformed her, of course, but it was also the most beautiful love story of her life. It’s not over yet, however. Thanks to a special regulation born from the canceled pandemic season, the center player will be able to return for a sixth and final season. “I can’t stop. I like it too much. »
Win with pleasure
Captain of his team, the athlete from Mont-Saint-Grégoire on the South Shore will have allowed his program to shine.
Last year, she helped McGill win the first Quebec championship in its history. At the end of the season, she was even awarded the title of RSEQ player of the year, her impact on her team’s success was such a determining factor. “When I knew that, I couldn’t believe it,” she says.
In fact, Robitaille was amazed because the quest for individual awards is not his driving force. She has just been named to the provincial all-star team for the third consecutive year. Either way, it’s the performance of the Martlets that matters. To tell the truth, it is the pleasure that her teammates have in winning that prevails.
“I want to win, but not think about winning,” she says.
For her, you have to play first and win later. Even if in his case, it is a relation of cause and effect.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY CHARLÈNE ROBITAILLE
Charlene Robitaille (centre)
I try to make the girls understand the why. Why are we here? Nobody is forcing us. If we are there at the base, it is to have fun. If we don’t have fun, What’s the point ? And we play so much better when we’re having fun.
Charlene Robitaille
This is why Robitaille plays volleyball, emphasizing the importance of the meaning of the verb. And she wants it to stay that way. “I don’t want to go professional and volleyball become a job. I have too many fun. I don’t want to be a number playing volleyball. »
Even if pleasure is at the center of her daily life, she remains inhabited by the idea of winning. “I like to fool around in training, to do jokes, but when it’s time to be serious and the exercise is done well, it will be done well! This is not the time to fool around. I’m very competitive, I’ve always been that way, whether in sports or at school. »
At the end of her last word, a manager came to get her. It was her turn to have her photograph taken.
Discipline and organization
Shortly after, she comes back with a profuse apology, even if it only lasted a handful of seconds.
Time is also a variable well mastered by Robitaille. Despite her busy and atypical schedule, she manages to find a balance. “Sometimes those around me ask me how I do to succeed at school, at volleyball and in my social life. »
She then answers them with two words: “discipline and organization”.
The tall brunette is studying administration, after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in sports nutrition. The star player also stands out in class. “I have always been very studious. I could have gone into medicine, but that didn’t interest me. I liked my health, but I didn’t want to touch people,” she says grimacing.
She wants to succeed. Everywhere and all the time.
Robitaille has learned to be more temperate. After COVID-19, several players jumped ship. She quickly became a veteran. His playing time has increased and his role has grown.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY CHARLÈNE ROBITAILLE
Charlene Robitaille
I put pressure on myself, because I thought other people could make mistakes, but not me, because I’m the one who’s supposed to know how it works.
Charlene Robitaille
The strong character of this ultra-competitive athlete acts like a double-edged sword.
“I get really angry when I make mistakes and my coach has to calm me down and tell me it’s okay, because volleyball is a sport of mistakes,” she added.
If she remembers her mistakes more often than her successes, Charlène Robitaille continues to learn about herself. Her relationship to sport and competition has evolved since she began her university career.
Eventually, she learned to be fallible. And above all, understood that it was normal.
“Making a mistake is not the end of everything. It’s just volleyball. »
That’s exactly why she’ll be back next year for her swan song. For the love of volleyball.