After the end of indoor practice, the Agen handball club struggled to stay in contact with its licensees. Jacques Vergnes, employee of the club, set up quizzes around the hand, and Thibault Giacomin, in charge of communication, took care of carrying out a competition on social networks.
And then it was the turn of one of the two presidents, Laurent Debourges, to offer a video with Patrice Canayer, coach of the professional club of Montpellier. It was during the campaign for the presidential elections of the French Handball Federation that Laurent had the opportunity to meet Patrice. The two men spoke at length. Laurent proposing to Patrice to come and play an offseason match with his pro group at the COJC. Of course, as soon as it will be able to receive handball on its central. Favorable agreement of the general manager of Montpellier. But this could not satisfy Laurent Debourges, who took the opportunity to offer a videoconference with all the Agen coaches. Of which act. And it was last Tuesday that to the great surprise, all the Agen coaches sat down in front of their computer, and found Patrice Canayer in front of them.
First a little moment of solitude on the Agen side, because Mr. Canayer, it is 2 Champions League, 14 French championship titles and 13 French Cups to his credit, elected best team coach of the year 2018. In short, a reference in French handball. Once the emotion passed and this, thanks to the start of Patrice, the questions began to fuse.
How to revitalize the hand after the indoor recovery?
“We will have to give pleasure to young and old alike. Fun is the very essence of our sport and of sport in general. We offer different practices, sandball on the sand, 4 against 4 play, grass play. Let’s be imaginative. “
How do you see the evolution of handball?
“We have to work on the prospects, and especially among young players. Handball has been evolving rapidly for ten years or so.”
What do you think of the 7v6 attacking game?
“You have to know how to use it wisely. It should not be systematic but a strategic use in certain cases. In absolute terms, the goalkeeper should also participate in the attacking game. take it out to bring in a player and see shots in empty cages. And here we come back to the prospects and the training of goalkeepers who must also become good field players. “
In Montpellier, there is a Pôle Espoir, but you have an Académy at the club.
“The pole is managed by the Ligue Occitanie. The Académy was created in 1996 by the Montpellier club. It starts with the – 15 years old, then the – 17, the – 18 then the reserve team which evolves in National 1 . Players like Guigou, Grebille or Fabregas are leaving Académy. It is our great strength. “
What is the typical day for Patrice Canayer, because when we hear you speak, you eat handball, you sleep handball?
“It’s a profession of passion. Since my studies as a sports teacher in Bordeaux, then as a player at the SPUC in Pessac, I have always tried to improve. I don’t have a typical day but rather a typical week. share my time with the training of the first team, well accompanied by my staff, the meetings with the staff of the Academy, the meetings with the partners. But I make sure to finish around 7 p.m. to be able to spend a little time at home. Today I made an exception for you. “
An hour and a half later, it was finally time to say goodbye and thank you to Mr. Canayer. Even if the coaches had wanted to continue longer. But all recognized the availability and the simplicity with which Patrice knew how to “handball” this evening. We all hope that the reopening of the COJC will not take too long, so that we can take advantage of the arrival of the Montpellier Handball pros and their general manager.
It will be another great adventure for the volunteers of Agen, who are always quick to organize large-scale events. Thank you coach, the world of handball always needs people like you.
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