When you push the door of the club house, the smell of the ball mixed with that of the coffee still floats. In these old tired premises, where the walls carry the memories of a thousand afternoon of football, an internship is in full swing.
These are the Easter holidays, but at the Sports Alliance Valensole Gréoux, the ball never stops driving.
Sitting behind an office at the stacked papers, Roger Procida sketches a smile. “”You see… it was time. We need it.“He talks about the new stadium, this complex expected as a promise for years. work is finally starting.”They start in May. Normally, delivered for the end of the year.“A simple sentence, but a world behind.
A new home
Because for this club, which today has 280 licensees, which sees its little ones grow on a not entirely of the standards and welcomes its seniors in changing rooms of another age, the new stadium is much more than a project. It is a symbol.
“It will change our daily life. And above all, it will allow us to welcome regional matches here in Gréoux. It was essential.“
The old rugby stadium Alexis Payan, on the verge of Verdon, will be their new home. “”The setting is magnificent. Below, we will have the locker rooms and the showers, and above, the club house. It will be really beautiful.“And he smiles, already proud to see the jerseys dry and young people running.
A dynamic found
Equipment that represents much more than comfort. He opens the door to ambition. Already, the club’s U15s evolve in the regional, a first. “”It’s complicated, we knew it, but it shows the way. The objective is to have a regional team each year, and to follow our young people on this path.“
President of the Valensole-Géoux sports alliance for four years, Roger Procida has been carrying this amateur club as we watch over a treasure.
-“Frankly, today I feel lucky“, He says, a tired but proud smile. Lucky to see the 280 licensees of the club put on the crampons every week.
“It is the first time, since I have been president, that we reach this figure. When I arrived, we were around 180“A progression that salutes the substantive work: opening to local merchants, involvement of parents, consolidation of the supervision.
“This season, we really approached the partners, and they responded.“
A band of friends, a human story
Seniors are going through a transitional season. After the coach’s departure, it is Marc Montacci, a well -known figure, who returned in February for “reform the group“. “With Marc, it’s a bunch of friends playing. When he returned, some players who no longer came to training returned. That’s the difference.“
The club, Roger Procida describes it as a large village. “”Parents help us, volunteers are there. Without them, we would not hold. They are the ones who open the refreshment bar, who accompany the little ones in shuttle. It’s huge.“But the future also poses challenges:”The district will ask that all educators be graduated. It is on the principle, but it may complicate things. Some parents who give a helping hand may give up.“
Despite everything, passion remains intact. “”Me, all these children, I see them like mine. I saw them grow, I accompanied them. This is what gives me the strength to continue.“One day, perhaps, the senior team will reach the regional.”This is the goal within three years. But already, maintaining the team in D1 is important“And it’s almost done since Gréoux’s victory over US Vivo this Sunday (4-2).
In September, AS Valensole-Gréoux will celebrate its 25th anniversary. “”We will invite all the former presidents, all the faces of the club. It will be a great party.“
