No surprise in the world of canoeing and more particularly in the Somme committee since during an extraordinary general assembly, president Philippe Vermersch decided to continue the adventure for the next four years.
It will be for the tireless host of Picquigny Vieille Somme, the fourth consecutive term as president. Philippe Vermersch was immersed in this sport very early on and he really started when he was a student at the College of Domart in Ponthieu and he had a very eclectic gymnastics teacher. It was Claude Bayard who knew Serge Bove, the departmental technical advisor, well.
At that time, there was a canoe-kayak section at the Collège de Domart and young practitioners built their own boats. We met Philippe Vermersch this Saturday while his club paid tribute to one of its leaders, René Jarnoux, who died during COVID and who was considered the spiritual father not only for the club but also slalom. He was from Normandy but had joined Picquigny a little later. “As a graduate, I first practiced in Domart en Ponthieu” remembers Philippe Vermerch. “I then stopped for a few years and then, while living with my parents in Bourdon, I got back into it. I somewhat followed the example of my parents who have always been involved in associations. »
Re-elected president at the end of an extraordinary general assembly, since the election was to be held before that of the French Federation, this will be the fourth mandate for the one who started in 2005 as secretary then treasurer. “In the Somme, we are proud of our discipline and people want to work together. Our sport is in contact with the sea, the river and the water in the pool. Frankly, I am happy to be at the head of this Somme committee« rejoices Philippe Vermerch. “As for the Picquigny club that I also chair, the Olympics effect produced a beneficial effect since we registered 13 new recruits who all participated in this Jarnoux challenge. We are an exception because many clubs don't have our luck. »
Lionel Herbert
Photo credit: Lionel Herbet – Gazettesports.fr
