Fencing, handball and volleyball among the big winners
The leap of the Antibes fencing school
The fencing hall, Chemin Saint-Claude, is experiencing even greater excitement than in recent seasons. The “fault” in the Paris Olympics and the medals obtained in a magical place: the Grand Palais.
For the Antibes club of president Jérôme Touré, the fallout from the Olympics is palpable: 60% more registrations!
“We went from 60 licensees to more than 100! We felt the Olympics effect straight away, because there was no Youth and Sports Festival, and we wondered if people were going to come. We received many calls, but not just for children, for adults as well.
Some, who had stopped, wanted to come back after watching the Games. We’re stocking up, it’s only positive. »
With exceptional enthusiasm for the competition: “There weren’t enough of us to form an epee team last season. Today, we can do 2 or 3! »
As for the Grasse Fencing Circle, there is no spectacular effect, as confirmed by President Pascal Ladevez: “In relation to our room and the slots, we are already on target! We just noticed an increase among young people (+ 10%) but we cannot accommodate more in our room. »
The OAJLP handball is a hit
The Paris 2024 Olympics effect is not an empty word for the OAJLP Handball. President Françoise Petrov’s club has seen a significant increase, especially in the youth categories. “This season, we have 381 licensees, including 79 seniors. Otherwise, it’s only young people, from baby hand to U17. Concerning the increase, 50 more players came to us. For example, among the U11s, there are 49! Obviously, we can no longer have people over, because we are full. »
Note that the signing of Florent Manaudou had no impact on registrations, because his arrival dates from last October, a few weeks after the start of the school year.
For Pays de Grasse handball (nearly 400 licensees), not really an increase, overall, but a rebound among young people, “certainly due to the Olympics”, according to the club.
Volleyball: AS Cannes attracts young people
Double Olympic champion, the French volleyball team, with the emblematic Earvin Ngapeth, made people want to discover this discipline in a club. Like at AS Cannes. “We had 54% more licensees among those under 18, even if we have slot problems with the work at the Carnot gymnasium,” confirms Yann Loritte, general secretary. Same echo for RC Cannes, which had more requests. “But we were forced to limit the number, due to lack of space in the room. »
Swimming: a Léon Marchand effect?
Antibes Swimmers’ Circle
Next to the nautical stadium, well no, no Léon Marchand effect! Even if the star of the Olympics must have aroused vocations in France, this is not really the case in Antibes. Explanations from Alain Schneberger, from the Cercle des Nageurs d’Antibes: “We had no Olympic effect regarding registrations, but it must be said that there is a lot of work going on at the nautical stadium. There are outdoor pools only. We had a lot of requests from the youngest… as usual! There was a Laure Manaudou effect in 2004 then an Alain Bernard effect (now vice-president of the CNA) in 2008. » With a new ultra-modern tool, let us have no doubt that requests should flood in in the coming years.
The Dolphins of Grasse
As with many clubs, the full slots limit the arrival of new members (nearly 500 members). At the Harjès swimming pool in Grasse, there is no possibility of pushing the walls to accommodate more apprentice swimmers and experienced swimmers at the Dauphins club. “Our reception capacity is already at its maximum,” says Serge Outrebon, sports director and general manager. We still noted an Olympics effect on re-registrations with a jump of 15% among 9 – 13 year olds. »
And also…
Cannes-Mougins judo
Small effect Riner and company for the De Menech brothers from Cannes-Mougins judo. “We don’t really know if it’s the Olympics, but we have 60 more registered compared to last season (i.e. 720 licensees), with a final objective of 800,” specifies Patrick De Menech.
Judo club d’Antibes
No more than that either, at the Antibes Judo club, as the president, Henri Gaspich, confirms: “Across all registrations at the club, there is no Olympic effect. We should reach 500 licensees, like other years. We just changed Dojo (before rue Fersen, now rue Niquet), it is bigger. We can therefore accommodate more people. »
Judo club of Plan
As if nothing had happened. Not even a shudder. “There was nothing convincing,” confirms Marc Rossio, technical director of the JCP. It’s a year like any other, no more members. I am very surprised by the figures announced. We had a lot of requests for information, but nothing came to fruition. »
