This Saturday, January 22, the Billard Club Dijonnais organized a day of initiation to French billiards. A dozen people with Down syndrome took part, and learned the fundamentals of this sport. A day organized in partnership with the Trisomy 21 association of Côte-d’Or.
Accompanied by a trainer from Billiards Club Dijonnais, Adrien and Guillaume, two people suffering from trisomy 21, discover precision, justice and the art of dosage. This Saturday, January 22, the structure organized a day of initiation to French billiards in partnership with the association Trisomy 21 – Côte-d’Or. In total, about ten people discovered the basics of this sport.
The device is offered for the fourth time, but the two previous editions had been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Trainers and apprentice players then find themselves with pleasure. “It was important to recover for the club, says its president, Jean Larrue. These are people who have been here before and are asking to come back. It is a personal satisfaction. We do this on a voluntary basis, it’s only the club that organizes it out of sympathy for the people who come”.
Depending on the slots and trainers available, the Billard Club Dijonnais organizes 3 to 4 days each year dedicated to people with disabilities. And the public of the day seems to appreciate the approach. “I like it a lot. It’s fun, it’s great. I like to do it often!”, greets Guillaume, 35 years old.
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Bernadette Nimeskernère, vice-president of the Trisomie 21 – Côte-d’Or association, who also came to see her son train, is also enthusiastic. “It allows them to show that they are capable of doing these things. They need to be reassured. We don’t always trust them enough. It’s really good that we can let them do it. really express themselves.
They need to get together, to do activities, to get out of their environment and their lives. It allows them to apprehend the reality of the world with people who are said to be ordinary.
Bernadette Nimeskern, mother of Guillaume – vice-president of the Trisomie 21 association – Côte-d’Or
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Advised by approved trainers and registered with the Billard Club Dijonnais, the volunteers discover the basics of French billiards. “The approach is different but the problem remains the same, billiards being a precise, delicate activity. What can cause problems are things like the position, the grip of the cue and the bridge. It can be difficult to practice”, describes Pierre Cambazard, one of the coaches.
At the end of this day, vocations may have been aroused. As a reminder, as part of its sport and disability strategy, the government hopes that people with disabilities will be among the 3 million additional practicing athletes desired by 2024.
For this, these audiences can benefit until February 28 from the Pass’Port which grants them a 50% reduction to register in a club.
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