Louis Douville Beaudoin’s red, white and blue jersey will say “USA.” He’ll be honored and proud to represent his country at the 2022 World Flying Disc Federation World Junior Ultimate Championships next month in Wroclaw, Poland. It will display the destination, a longtime aspiration fulfilled.
His cleats, meanwhile, will honor the journey. He hand-painted the logos of four entities that shaped him into the player and person fit to play ultimate on the world stage: the National Ultimate Training Camp, Summer Ultimate Frisbee of Amherst, the Amherst Regional ultimate crest and the Stanley Street sign for the park where the Hurricanes practice.
“Any national team is special because you’re representing your country, but I come from such a wonderful community — the Amherst ultimate community, which I think is different from most,” Douville Beaudoin said. “It’s an opportunity to represent Amherst, which in all the Frisbee that I’ve played here since fifth grade, I’m grateful to have the opportunity represent that.”
But before he can, Douville Beaudoin had to ask that community for help to get to Poland. He started a GoFundMe aiming to raise $4,650 to help cover the cost of travel to the tournament and visits to Denver and Chicago for training camp.
“I knew I was going to need financial assistance. It’s been heartwarming to see everyone that’s donated and supported me in this. All these people who have been in my life and been in my Frisbee life for so long supporting me into the process is special and grateful for all of that and all of them,” Douville Beaudoin said.
The dream has been on Douville Beaudoin’s radar since he first picked up a Frisbee seven years ago. He watched the Hurricanes compete in the Amherst Invitational on the fields behind his house and formed friendships with Team USA qualifiers as he progressed in the program. Amherst has sent 10 players to Team USA since 2014 (Orion Cable made the team twice), at least one in every two-year cycle.
The 2022 edition will run from Aug. 6-13. There, Douville Beaudoin will try to help the USA retain the crown while also visiting relatives. He’s a quarter Polish and has extended family in Wroclaw whom he’ll meet for the first time.