Chatham-Kent’s Burke Bechard, Making CK Proud
Burke Bechard
Chatham-Kent sends athletes across Ontario, Canada, and the globe each year to compete athletically. Sponsored by baCK to Chatham-Kent, we’ll be featuring local athletes who have left Chatham-Kent, and are proudly representing our community. We hope many of these athletic ambassadors for our community someday come baCK to call Chatham-Kent home.
This week, we feature Dover Centre’s Burke Bechard. A 5’9″ guard for the University of Guelph Gryphons women’s basketball team, Bechard has quickly become one of the stars of the OUA.
Bechard was named to the OUA’s All-Rookie team in 2018, and this season was named an OUA Second Team All-Star.
As a youth, Bechard starred for the London Ramblers and Chatham-Kent Wildcats, and was a member of Team Ontario.
Here are Burke’s responses to our baCK to Chatham-Kent athletes interview:
1. Can you describe what support you’ve felt from your hometown/Chatham-Kent while you’ve been away?
The support that I have received is incredible. I receive support from so many people in so many different ways friends, former team mates, family / former coaches – this list goes on. When you come from a small town so many different people know who you are through social media and sport media. This allows them to be aware of my games that are streamed on line so that many different people can keep up with the team even if they are not in Guelph.
2. What do you enjoy about coming home to visit?
Visits home are very scarce. With school, season, training, and working it makes it difficult to make it home often. I am just thankful that my family comes to me, as I miss everyone so much. My time at home is precious as I love where I come from and I am proud of my Dover Centre / Chatham Kent community. Being able to come home, just be with my family, go to church and be with the ones I love is extremely important to me.
3. Would you consider making Chatham-Kent home again some day?
I LOVE where I come from. I am proud of my family and my community it is a great place to raise a family . I have always planned to return to Dover Centre. When you come from a farming community you have a connection to the land and the family history that comes along with it. Often there are strong ties to the ones that have passed (like my grandfather) through the land and the farm. Having so many people that I love close by has always been a reason I would love to return home to Dover Centre/Chatham-Kent.
4. What advice would you give to young athletes baCK home in Chatham-Kent?
The advice that I would give would be work hard. Put the time in, the connections you make through sport are incredible. The only way to succeed is to put the time in the gym, never being satisfied and always try to be better the next day no matter what your talents may be. Sports will guide you through your life, and allow for you to always have a second family nearby. My Coach Mark Walton always says to do three things everyday, 1. Work Hard, 2. Get Better, and 3. Have fun. Sports do not last forever, your clock is always ticking, and it flies by. Enjoy it.