#CultureSport. Part of Angevin sport is at the FIFA museum in Zurich. It is not an artistic work, nor a trophy. He is a human resource, a Dalleux named Clement Le Minoux. Always fully behind the Angevin sport, the one who was born and who grew up in Angers is today the director of works at the temple of international football, in Switzerland.
By Théo BARILLER-KRINE
These are unusual stories, which make Angevin sport resonate beyond the borders. There are many parallels between the world of culture and the world of sport. This is a path that Clément Le Minoux has decided to take.
A professional vocation born in Angers, in a student job
Clément and museums has been a common thread from an early age: “When I was younger, I was always used to going to the museum with my parents. In Angers on weekends, but also on vacation. “ Clément and sport have always been a common thread: “I have always followed the sport first in the newspapers and on the radio and later in real life in the stadiums. Football of course, but not only. As soon as I could, I was going to support the Angevin teams. For me, I don’t see sport as something that only I can watch, I have to participate in it as well. That’s why I started officiating in 2008 in tennis. I am still a referee and this has allowed me to go to the biggest tournaments in the world. To be on the court is a great privilege because we are at the heart of the game, we are part of it. These sensations are indescribable and it allows to experience sporting emotions other than those of a spectator or supporter. “ For his professional future, the native of Angers has chosen not to choose between his two passions.
Passionate about memoirs, Clément therefore began a Bachelor of History at the University of Angers, with first of all the project of becoming a sports journalist. During his training, a student job in the museums of Angers as a receptionist, began to give him ideas: “When I saw the works exhibited at the Musée des Beaux-Arts, for example, I was fascinated by the logistics required, by the reserves to store all these works. What is going on behind all these works? ” Little by little, his two passions came closer together, and the idea of a research thesis on sports museums came to fruition. He then joined a professional Master and research in the world of museums, in Avignon.. At the same time, the National Sports Museum in France moved to Nice, with the arrival of the new stadium for Euro 2016. A professional opportunity then opened up to Clément, who then landed his end-of-studies internship: “I followed the packaging of the works in Paris for 15 days, and I followed up with the reception of the 33 semi-trailers in Nice. It was a lot of handling but the place and the works I liked so much! “
Objects to relive emotions through sport
At the end of his studies, Clément was kept by the National Sports Museum in Nice and was responsible for collecting objects. Administrative, but also practical to install and store sports objects: “The issue of museums in sport is the conservation of recent, very contemporary objects. It is difficult to keep, like swimming suits in particular, which retract. Or even the gloves of the goalkeepers ”. And inevitably, there are memories stronger than others: “Very shortly after his death, the loan of three Olympic medals (gold, silver, bronze) from Camille Muffat was very moving. Especially since she was a local sportswoman. The loan of the Formula 1 Marussia of Jules Bianchi was also rich in emotions. “
Clément then flies to the FIFA Museum in Zurich, which addresses all aspects of international football heritage and tells the fascinating story of the FIFA World Cup, where he is currently working as a works manager: « I have 3 missions: the acquisition, conservation, and exhibition of objects. I have to make sure of the authenticity and the provenance of these objects, because unfortunately there are fakes or diverted shirts for example.. »
To understand the current trends in sport, and allow new generations to appropriate the identity of a nation or a club, it is sometimes necessary to observe the past and the famous “vintage” objects that Clément frequents on a daily basis: “For the 2018 World Cup, the jerseys of the 90s modernized by Germany or Spain for example, it is a good proof that we must still be inspired by history. “
Angers, a sporting heritage
Still attached to his hometown, Clément is a Dalleux from the start. Proof of his attachment to Angers, a painting with a view of the castle of Angers appears in his office in Switzerland among historical photos of the World Cup.
Clément is convinced that a sports museum would have its place in Anjou: “Angers is a city that benefits from great diversity. Lake Maine, basketball, roller hockey… It can’t be counted just with the titles, or the results. Angers was a land of aviation at the start of the 20th century. But also on the side of industries which have been investing in Angevin sport for many years: Bodet, Scania… But also historical figures, such as Julien bessonneau with Angers SCO. And even #LaDalleAngevine! This association which bears a historical name, linked to a sports performance. Just that, it’s a beautiful heritage. The museums in Angers are very well organized, with a lot of competent people whom I was able to meet especially during my student job, so that would make sense! ” It is also a sporting area that does not rely on its achievements, as Clément points out: “When you see Nicolas Mahut launching his tournament… There are plenty of engines, not just Angers SCO. UFAB 49 going up, Les Ducs d’Angers etc. There is potential through sport. “
If Angevin sport also had to make its inventory, it would certainly count on the skills and experiences of Clément. An additional pride in being able to announce that a Dalleux attends the famous FIFA World Cup trophy every day.
