The only candidate for his own re-election, this Saturday, November 16, during the general assembly of the Brittany Tennis League, organized in Pontivy, Pascal Piriou and his new team were elected again and are leaving for four years.
What made you decide to leave for four years?
We managed to ease tensions between elected officials and employees. Everyone now works in a peaceful and constructive atmosphere. I considered that there was still plenty of work to do in Breton tennis.
Do you consider that you are unanimous?
No, absolutely not. You could understand that participation was not high and that some do not support Gilles Moretton’s list at the FFT like my team. Furthermore, I visited 117 clubs in four years. This made it possible to create the essential link between the clubs and the League.
Is the improvement in tennis lasting?
We are reaching remarkable figures: 48,400 licensees as of August 31, 2024. This is 25.4% more compared to 2021. There was a movement of funds at the time of Covid. Many adults wanted to practice leisure and supervised tennis. The padel has also boosted our numbers, but it is not the only lever. Tennis, in its traditional practice, is progressing, but this will slow down.
Why do you expect a downturn?
For two reasons: there is a shortage of teachers. There is a vocations crisis, as in all professions where we work in the evening. The other reason is that our facilities (fields, rooms) are aging. A third of Breton clubs had to refuse memberships at the start of the season. We must support clubs by getting closer to municipalities and proposing solutions
ODo you believe you have national ambitions?
I support Gilles Moretton. I prefer to have a constructive action than to be in an opposition which would not be. I took Arnaud Clément’s place at the Comex. I was offered a position as treasurer. I said no. I may have a responsibility in the federal office, but this position should in no way prevent me from working fully at the League.
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What about the League and the training center?
The headquarters of the League will remain in Pontivy. We worked a lot on a 21st century version of the federal league training center. The objective is to increase teacher training, but also to train our best young people. The city of Rennes is the best located, particularly for its accessibility. We are moving forward on a project near Les Gayeulles. You could find a Tc Rennes nearby. This city was the only one in France not to have a tennis club.
