the essential
The Aveyron Football District aims to develop leisure football in the department, particularly the veterans category, and to increase the number of licensees in the structure.
With five championships in several groups, football fans in Aveyron can test the ball every weekend, close to home. Supervised by the District, these competitions help keep amateur sport alive in the region. But there is another leisure activity, alongside, that the body wishes to develop.
“We are working on a reflection, within a group bringing together several members of the committee and representatives of the Aveyron clubs,” underlines Pierre Bourdet, president of the District. “The idea is to unite and organize leisure football, in whatever form it takes.”
“This brings together activities linked to football outside district competitions, notably veterans, but also company tournaments and futsal. All age categories are concerned, men, women, intergenerational and mixed,” adds the president.
Football while walking
The district also aims to develop the practice of football while walking. Currently, four clubs in the department, notably Villefranche, Millau, Foot Vallon and Naucelle, already offer this activity, and eight others have requested it. A tournament in June is organized to introduce this practice.
-“The ambition is to offer a practice linked to football to all people who want it, without the constraints of competition. These are essential for the good health of local football,” continues Pierre Bourdet. “But there are also people who do not wish to get involved in these championships. We also target, for example, people over 50 who want to continue playing.”
This Wednesday, a new meeting was held to continue to shape the project, with the aim of launching operations in the spring. “We are going to do tests on tournaments and see how much space there is to develop this leisure section. Depending on how the field improves, we will adapt.” An operation which would also make it possible to increase the number of licensees and have greater influence with the public authorities.
“Simplify meetings”
According to our information, certain teams of veterans, who have heard about this project, remain doubtful. Players say they fear the district will take over their practice. Until now, the representatives of each team exchanged at the start of the year to plan meetings over the months, without competition, regularly followed by a meal. Almost all players are licensed in the club where they play, in recreational football. Tackles and strong duels are prohibited during matches, and teams regularly referee themselves on the pitch.
“There is no desire on the part of the district to take control of the veterans,” replies the president. “It remains their home and we do not want to be diligent. We are a body that organizes football and our role is to support each club. We are here to facilitate practices and we can, with our IT and other tools, simplify meetings between the department's teams.
