“Cach summer, we lose part of our life force”regrets Loïc Gérard, president of Draguignan Var handball (DVHB).
“We train young people for ten years and then, when it’s time to start their higher education, they leave to enjoy the heyday of clubs in the Alpes-Maritimes, among others. We’re not talking about capitalizing on training, but we would like to value it less.”
So when the Connected Campus opens its doors in September 2021, it’s a beacon of hope.
A structure to follow the training of their choice, remotely. Sandrine Nau, Connected Campus coordinator, recalls:
“When a student is registered at a university, he can choose to follow the course from our campus and thus stay close to his home. He has access to computer equipment and educational monitoring. a certain number of hours of attendance per week.”
Preparing for your conversion
“A great opportunity for them to stay here to play and study. There is no sacrifice. Especially since, in our sport, retraining is very important. We couldn’t tell them to sit on another career than handball.”
On Sunday, Loïc Gérard therefore signed a partnership agreement with Dracénie Provence Verdon agglomeration.
Thus, the players and executives of the association, as well as their spouse, can benefit from training with a schedule arrangement to follow the training sessions.
But also have access to all the resources available within the structure, such as coaching actions. In return, other students on the connected campus can participate in club events.
Sandrine Nau now has fourteen registered members, from completely different backgrounds, and hopes to see this number increase thanks to this agreement. She is “certain that this tool is the key to inspire and the means to the Dracéniens to stay on the territory.”
Attract new players
Loïc Gérard adds: “And maybe it will motivate other players to join us? The Campus is a weapon of attractiveness for our club and we will do everything to ensure behind it, from a sporting point of view.”
If the DVHB is the pioneer of this agreement, Nadine Decarlis, delegate for professional integration and training within the agglomeration, “hope that other clubs will come knocking on the door and follow the example. It’s an opportunity for all young athletes in the area, you just have to show them the way.”
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