Today, the Western Mustangs community is recognizing 2020-21 Purple Blanket Award Winner Cara de Belle, of the Western Mustangs Badminton Team.

Video Interview with Winner Cara de Belle

To view a video interview with Cara de Belle and Badminton Team Head Coach Andrew D'Souza, please watch below. For closed captioning options, please view the video on YouTube https://youtu.be/IbOpQDsn4mY.



Purple Blanket Awards are granted to students who, often in their graduating year, are nominated by their coaches and chosen by members of the Selection Committee. Nominated individuals must have been a Western Mustangs student athlete for a minimum of three (3) years, have received a minimum of three (3) First Colour Awards throughout their career, and have been an active participant in their respective sport at the time of recommendation.

Cara de Belle has been playing for the Mustangs Badminton Team since 2017. She has been Captain of the Badminton Team for the past three seasons and has won four (4) First Colour Awards throughout her career.  

de Belle was awarded OUA Rookie of the Year in her 2017-18 season, and was part of the OUA All Star 1st Team in her 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. She was recognized at Team M.V.P. in the 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons and has lead her team to victory to win two OUA bronze and one OUA silver medals. De Belle was awarded the Women's Doubles Bronze medal in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 Badminton Canada College and University Individual National Championships. 

Former Badminton Team Head Coach Sean McGowan noted that de Belle was a "crucial member of the badminton team" and that she "serv[ed] as a leader from the moment she stepped foot in Thames Hall". "She continued to display keep leadership and people skills on and off the court." noted Coach McGowan. "[de Belle] led by example and was a certain embodiment of what a Mustang should be; always acting with integrity, pride and fierce competitiveness." said Former Head Coach McGowan. 

Current Head Coach, Andrew D'Souza said of de Belle: "She is a really good performer at tournaments; she can really play well under pressure. She really showed up when we needed her at OUAs last year."

Cara de Belle is finishing her academic career at the Ivey Business School and Huron College at Western. 

The Western Mustangs congratulate Cara de Belle on winning a 2020-21 Purple Blanket Award. An outstanding achivement.