What a season for Smuc badistas! The Marseillais performed flawlessly since their three (mixed) teams were promoted to the next level. They will therefore evolve into N2, N3 and Prénationale from next September. “It is the culmination of work and a project put in place for several years“, estimates Benjamin Snacel, president of the badminton section of Smuc.
In the space of eight years, when it played in the Pre-National, the club has reached an important milestone under the leadership of its flagship team which perfectly played the role of showcase. “A great collective, around a captain who demonstrated good management. A united and solid group, versatile and with a great state of mind.“
A philosophy dear to the university club which intends to continue its development. “Our project is based on three axes: the cohesion of the club, the development of the youth school (5-17 ans) and the professionalization of the section with the tenure of a coach in the coming days (trained at the club)”, continues the president.
“Need a new gymnasium”
With 351 licensees including around a hundred young people, the idea is to be ever more efficient with the gradual integration of young people into senior teams. “We are a year ahead of our plan. The initial objective is to maintain it, then we will aim higher. We have lots of projects, but they require money and, above all, space.explains Benjamin Snacel. Today, we train in eight different gyms. It’s complicated to implement. Concretely, we need a new gymnasium to offer additional slots to our licensees otherwise it risks being complicated.“
In the meantime, they will properly celebrate this triple rise on June 1 and 2 during their traditional Calanques tournament where 300 badistas from all over France are expected at the La Martine gymnasium. Without forgetting, the final phases of the French youth championships, this weekend in Lyon, where the club is counting on its junior ladies’ doubles (national No. 11) to achieve “the best performance possible“. Just to make this season even more beautiful.