« We do not inherit the earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children, » said Saint-Exupéry
This is why efforts must focus on the development and training of young athletes. Our sports can only shine in French culture if one or more athletes capture the media spotlight and challenge the preconceived notion of the bat-and-ball collective sport’s unfitness for our approach.
Several leagues have already worked on improving training schools within clubs. Diverse and varying assessments exist across our territories in Île-de-France and Nouvelle-Aquitaine, for example.
The movement is gaining national momentum and will be uniformly coded to allow clubs to earn labels (Bronze, Silver, and Gold). It will thus offer young athletes training programs to help them improve their skills, providing solid training for the majority who will play for leisure and also allowing a handful to advance to higher levels in France and abroad.
A mark of quality bringing federal recognition to dynamic clubs committed to training young licensed athletes in the territory, the Label also aims to support clubs in developing strategies for welcoming, developing, and training young audiences.
The Club School Label has three levels – Gold, Silver, and Bronze – and is valid for 2 years (the label is renewable under eligibility conditions).
The Label is based on an evaluation grid built on 4 mandatory criteria (youth numbers, sports activities, coaching and training, officials and training) and 2 optional criteria (structure, education).
2023-2024 Labeling Campaign
• May 15: Campaign launch
• June 14: Deadline for submitting applications
• July 10: Announcement of labeled clubs
This movement also aligns with the future implementation of locally trained players. Starting next year, a quota system for players trained in a French club will help Division 1 and 2 clubs advance our high-level athletes. Foreign players will have fewer spots, leaving room for promising recruits. The Czech federation has shown us the way; we must follow it.
Of course, we must also focus on infrastructure, particularly a national center with a stadium worthy of the name. Let’s hope that in less than ten years, a French team composed of locally trained young athletes will compete in an international-standard stadium and perform at the highest level.
Everything is interconnected, and the work has already begun to bear fruit. It can only strengthen for the joy of parents, volunteers, (tele)spectators who will be delighted to see our athletes perform at the highest level.
