L’Amiens Métropole Swimming was at the forefront of the international scene this summer, with Mewen Tomac and Emma Terebo both participating in the Paris Olympics. The Amiens club, of which four residents have just participated in the French short course championships, is experiencing some changes this season as its president, Romuald Allais, tells us.
In this new 2024-2025 season, Amiens Métropole Natation now has four swimmers in the INSEP contingent. If Roman Fuchs was already a member, Mewen Tomac joined the institute, while waiting to see his entry into Berkley validated, as mentioned by our colleagues from Courrier Picard. But among the new faces, we also find Corentin Pouillartaged 19, who had particularly distinguished himself at junior events during the last two seasons and Hugo Duvauchelle17 years old, multiple medalist at the last French junior championships.
The four swimmers are now under the leadership of Mathieu Neuillet, former coach of the AMN center of excellence, who took the reins of INSEP alongside Michel Chrétien. For the president of the Amiens club, Romuald Allaisthis is in no way a matter of complacency or connivance, it is a fair reward: “INSEP is the Holy Grail, it is the best level at the national level, so there is real emulation […] They are still under Amiens license, that’s the main thing. But given their talent and their qualities as athletes, if we had offered them INSEP with Michel (Chrétien, editor’s note), I think the response would have been as positive too.
Hugo Duvauchelle, only 17 years old, joined INSEP and Mathieu Neuillet’s training group since the start of the school year.
A reward also for the Amiens club, which highlights the work undertaken for several years within the training center and center of excellence. Concerning the latter, after the departure of Mathieu Neuillet, Amiens Métropole Natation made an important choice for this back to school : “To be honest, the accounts were not in good shape so, with the steering committee, we came up with the idea of putting it on hold. I say on standby and not closed, to certainly give it some color again next year or in two years. But the idea was to find a financial basis to be able to breathe”. A short-term sleep, which does not in any way affect the work undertaken within the training centerunder the control ofAlexandre Legrandwhich continues its momentum: “The idea is obviously to take back the pole of excellence and try to bring out as many swimmers from Amiens as possible. Especially since within the training center we have a very good group with a structure from Amiens. So, we are working on it, on the medium-term project and the idea could be to bring people from Amiens to Los Angeles.”
The return of the king
Among the good news, the Amiens club records the return of Jeremy Stravius. Having left in 2019 for other horizons, the one who could almost be called “the child of the country” is back in the club of the Picardy capital, after several seasons at Etoiles 92. A joint desire of the two parties which is brilliantly concluded, which delights the president of the AMN for many reasons: “He will make his first stone, by participating in interclubs to try to bring in points, because he wants to swim for the club. This is already a first thing but above all he will be able to give our swimmers the benefit of his technical knowledge to be able to help them progress, particularly during training courses. His technique and eye will be invaluable in helping our swimmers perform. We have real weight, a real swimmer who still makes kids dream, we must not hide it. »
“We can’t come close to Toulouse”
In terms of performance, the club is preparing to compete interclubs on November 17. A competition that mobilizes 70 to 80 club swimmers, and who brings a collective spirit to this individual sport. And after the second place acquired last yeare, it will be difficult to do better for the president: “We can’t come close to Toulouse. There is a number of licensees which is much more exponential than ours. I would be happy if we were in the top 5. The main thing is that our swimmers have fun, have fun, and that we try to get the best possible place. »
A first big deadline, before organizing the meeting des hortillons from December 20 to 22, 2024 at the Coliseum in Amiens. Like last year, the competition should offer a good field, as Romuald Allais mentions: “In theory, we should have the INSEP group, Olympic swimmers and foreign swimmers. It’s a national meeting, we have a timer which is labeled, and then we give a little bit of money, so that automatically interests the swimmers to perform. In terms of dates, we are well placed, it allows the athletes to position themselves.”
Swimming is health!
In addition to the performance aspect, the Amiens club is keen to act on several fronts, like the projects carried out around the development of artistic swimming or even health sports. On this point, the manager wants more: “I would like us to further develop healthy sports. I would like to send a message to all of our doctors so that they take our sport into account and can recommend us. I find that water is sweet. It is not aggressive on the muscles. It can bring well-being to people who need it. We have qualified educators. Today, we are developing it, but for me, we are not developing it quickly enough because we are not recommended enough. » An important area of development for Romuald Allais, who wants the club to be able “to make a contribution to people who have all kinds of concerns”.
Find the testimony of Yann Dubois, sports instructor at Amiens Métropole Natation, in charge of the sports and health section.
An auspicious season awaits for Amiens Métropole Natation which, without a doubt, can count on the impetus of its president Romuald Allais and its steering committee to carry out all the actions of development, but also to promote Amiens and the club on the national and international scene.
Dorine Cocagne
Photo credits: Louis Auvin, Kevin Devigne and Léandre Leber – Gazette Sports
