Bishop’s commits believe in team, coaches

Bishop’s adds two Québec commits and one out-of-province commit to their team.

Linebackers Sheldon Van Niekerk from the London Beefeaters (CFJL) and Karl Beaudry-Lévesque from Collège Lionel-Groulx, along with defensive lineman Olivier Fournier Cégep Limoilou, are thrilled to be able to help the Bishop’s Gaiters find success.

Sheldon Van Niekerk

For Sheldon Van Niekerk, committing to Bishop’s was “a pretty easy one. As soon as I got there for my visit it just felt like home and I could see myself there for the next few years,” he said. “On top of that they have a very talented and respectable coaching staff that I feel can help develop me into the player I want to be and become a better student athlete.”

Van Niekerk began his career at a young age but stopped after grade seven. He didn’t begin playing again until the summer of his victory lap year in high school. He has been playing with the London Beefeaters since 2015. He also played with the London Jr. Mustangs (OPFL) in 2014 and the Forest City Thunderbirds (OFC) and the Oakridge Oaks (TVRA) in 2015. He was a captain on the 2018 Beefeaters.

The 6’2, 220lbs product of London, Ontario, will be taking sports studies.

Our first Out of Province recruit for 2019! Very happy that versatile defender Sheldon Van Niekerk has committed to @BishopsGaiters Football. He is interested in pursuing his degree in Sports Studies https://t.co/yhAyzB3htl #bleedpurple #gaiternation. pic.twitter.com/x1Huw2mdkq

— Cherif Nicolas (@GaitersHC) December 9, 2018

Karl Beaudry-Lévesque

Karl Beaudry-Lévesque is ready to get to work with the Gaiters. “I chose Bishop’s because there is really something to build. The coaching staff is excellent, and I think we can win our division pretty soon. There is a movement starting and I want to be a part of it,” he said.

Beaudry-Lévesque, who is 6’0, 210lbs, added that he thinks the staff is great. Hailing from Mascouche, Québec, he is interested in taking either business or finance.

Beaudry-Lévesque spent five years with Les Scorpions de Armand-Corbeil, one with Les Phénix du Collège André-Grasset (RSEQ Division 1) and two with Les Nordiques du Collège Lionel Groulx (RSEQ Division 1).

With his commitment secure, Beaudry-Lévesque has a message to other commits: “Just come to Bishop’s and be a part of what is coming next.”

Another Div. 1 Cegep chooses @BishopsGaiters football to continue his scholastic and athletic carreer. Happy to welcome Karl Beaudry-Lévesque to our program. He is interested in studying at the Williams School of Business https://t.co/Aqd9mN6R6g #bleedpurple #gaiternation pic.twitter.com/PMhlM53Via

— Cherif Nicolas (@GaitersHC) December 7, 2018

Olivier Fournier

Olivier Fournier already has an idea of how the Gaiters coaches run their team. “I did two summer football camps that was organized by the Bishop’s football team and I was really amazed each time by the installations, the techniques, the coaches and the spirit,” he said. “It naturally became a dream to play for them! Then, I really think I will fit in a beautiful purple (uniform) like this.”

While Fournier hasn’t met the entire coaching staff, he said he is looking forward to it. He has, however, spoken with the head coach on the phone. “(He’s a) really kind man, the kind of man you know you’ll fit in with,” he said.

Fournier, who has applied to psychology, added that he was interested in studying at an English university. He is from the small town of Frampton, Québec, where he was raised on a farm. He was a member of Les Panthères de la Polyvalente Veilleux (RSEQ) for five years and a member of Les Titans du Cégep Limoilou (RSEQ Division 1) for four. He won a few championships in high school and was a captain on his team in 2014.

Ready to start the season, Fournier said, “I’m thrilled to be able to join the team’s future success!”

More good news as OL Olivier Fournier from @TitansLimoilou has commited to @BishopsGaiters FB. He will be pursuing a degree in Applied Psychology https://t.co/EZVgDruIj8 #Bleedpurple #gaiternation ?? pic.twitter.com/QSM6Pix3BQ

— Cherif Nicolas (@GaitersHC) December 10, 2018