AS Chambéry: Football Club Champions of Integration

A French football club is scoring goals both on and off the pitch, fostering social inclusion for young migrants. AS Chambéry, based in Villenave-d’Ornon, has become a beacon of hope and opportunity for newcomers to the community.

A Club Built on Social Values

Founded fifty years ago by Christian Cayla, who continues to serve as its president, AS Chambéry prioritizes the social impact of football. Cayla believes that the sport is a powerful tool for integration, a philosophy shared by the club’s leadership and partners, including Le Prado, Saint François-Xavier and Quancard, organizations dedicated to child protection.

“Our football club came from a youth center where I was the leader in 1975, in which the boys really wanted to play. We took part in an inter-household championship which existed at the time. After the first season, our association was born. Today we are playing in the fourth division, but we are going to move up.”

Christian Cayla

The club currently competes in the fourth division, with aspirations for promotion.

Welcoming Young Immigrants

AS Chambéry actively seeks to include young, often isolated, immigrants within its teams. The club recently welcomed Christian, a young Albanian player, who not only developed his football skills but also learned French and secured an internship through the club’s support.

“We have always integrated into our teams some of the young people who are followed by these institutions and who wanted to produce friends outside.”

Christian Cayla

An International U19 Team

Demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity, AS Chambéry recently launched an initiative to form an international U19 football team comprised of young migrants from a Bordeaux host home. Players hail from countries including Mali, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Guinea, and Sudan, and have successfully integrated into the Villenave-d’Ornon community.

The team is designed to be a complete squad, with some players also contributing to the senior team when needed.

Support and Success

The team benefits from support that includes free licenses and all necessary equipment. Coaches are compensated, and the team has access to a minibus for travel to sporting events. The team consistently achieves positive results, winning the majority of its matches.

Looking Ahead

AS Chambéry’s story is a testament to the power of sport to transcend cultural barriers and build stronger communities. The club’s dedication to social integration serves as an inspiring example for others.