Going Places: Training to reach your dream

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Like many young athletes, high school football star Dayson Janvier began uploading game clips of himself on Instagram, as well as a sports social media platform called Hudl, simply as a way to share his talents with friends and family. What resulted from those posts has taken Janvier places he never imagined.

Janvier, 16, from English River First Nation, who attends and plays for Carleton Comprehensive High School in Prince Albert, was contacted in 2022 by Jenkins Elite – an invite only development camp in Colorado for promising young football players. Jenkins Elite was founded by Tim Jenkins, former NFL and CFL quarterback.

“They found my highlights on (social media), and sent myself, my coach, and my mother an email inviting me to the camp,” said Janvier.

“I don’t think anyone else from Saskatchewan was invited. When I was there, there were only three other Canadians.”

Janvier, who plays Slot Receiver and has been involved in football for about five years, was invited again to the training camp after attending in the summer of 2022. The camp was an intense three days with high school players from all over the continent, who are not only trying to catch footballs but the attention of college recruiters.

“I’m very excited to be going back. Last year was an amazing experience. It’s very intense, everyone is out there trying to prove themselves in front of the coaches and scouts,” he said.

“Being in that atmosphere again will be amazing. I can’t believe how far I’ve made it playing football.”

Being one of very few Canadians chosen to attend the camp was certainly an accomplishment, but that is not the only distinction that Janvier is proud of.

“I wish there were more Indigenous athletes out there. But knowing that I’m one of the only Indigenous athletes at the camp, representing who I am and where I’m from, makes me really proud.”

Despite the demands of the camp itself, the biggest challenges with the experience are in fact off the field. Janvier’s mother, Deanne Janvier, is unable to work due to a visual impairment. And the camps are costly, she said – travel costs, accommodations, and hefty fees for Jenkins Elite.

This year, the training camp could be even more financially taxing, with the camp split into two sessions – the first in Colorado, and the second two-weeks later in Houston. Additionally, in between those two camps, Janvier has been invited to attend a training camp ran by sports educators IMG Academy.

As such, the Janviers have been holding fundraisers, including steak nights, dances, and barbecues. Deanne Janvier said friends, and even some strangers, have been generous, but she is still looking for avenues to help fund the costly trip.

“The financial issue is the one problem, because I want him to succeed, and as a single parent, I want to help him as much as I can,” said Ms. Janvier.

“I’m very proud of him because I know how hard he works. He is constantly pushing himself and expects so much out of himself. Everything he does is with so much passion.”

The young student athlete is ensuring he has his priorities in check, stating that “student” comes before “athlete”.

“Football will help me physically, but school will help me mentally and set me up for whatever comes after football,” he said.

Janvier’s dream is to earn a scholarship at a North American school – the University of Saskatchewan preferably, he said – and study kinesiology before eventually playing professional football. After his playing days, he’d like to work at a school and dedicate himself to helping other young athletes reach their dreams.

“I want to be a coach one day. I’m from the middle of small-town Saskatchewan, and going places I never thought I would go,” said Janvier.

“I want other athletes to know it’s not impossible. Study, put yourself out there, don’t shy away from the light.”