The medalists of the Pays Decazevillois. Audacity Prize: Christine Teulier, Jean-Luc Delmas and Elian Vidal

The Medalists of the Pays Decazevillois”. The opportunity to highlight the associations that make the region shine. Today, spotlight on the “Prize for Audacity” category with Christine Teulier, Jean-Luc Delmas and Elian Vidal.

To vote for your favorite candidate, go to the end of the article, the participants will be celebrated on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at the Yves-Roques room in Decazeville.

Christine Teulier highlights the unclassifiable “roller hockey”

Decazeville hosts a roller hockey team, enough to arouse the curiosity of some. Christine Teulier has been president of the association for many years. Encounter.

What is roller hockey?

It’s a little-known discipline, I admit. Some people in Decazeville don't even know there is a team and yet we have been here for more than twenty. But to put it simply, it's the little brother of ice hockey. The principles are the same, the only difference is in the skates. If one has blades to slide on the ice, we play on rollers to move around the gymnasiums or on the asphalt. But in idea, it's hockey like in Canada. Same team spirit and same ambition to win.

What is the history of the club?

The club was created in 1997 within the 2KZ association. By the time things were done and the first players arrived, we were not a separate entity. Then, after reflection and consultation, the Gueules Noirs team was created under the association “L’amicale du roller hockey”. Since then we have had great years, great competitions, since we hosted the 32nd of France in 2017. But above all, this club is a big family. These are our loved ones who play, who come to help us on match days and who are always ready to come and lend a hand. Today, we only have good years ahead of us.

Where is the club today?

We were able to resume sporting activities at the end of October. We were awaiting work following the bad weather which damaged the roof of the Laminoir. The team was very patient and above all present. We were reassured about the resumption because we knew that our players were ready to resume their lacrosse as soon as the room reopened.

Jean-Luc Delmas wants to keep the “jousting” going in Boisse-Penchot

Before joining the Occitanie region, Joyeuse was the only company to practice this discipline throughout the Midi-Pyrénées region. Jean-Luc Delmas, president since the 1980s, whose father was a jousting champion, tells us a little more.

When did the jousts take place in Boisse-Penchot?

Nautical jousting is an integral part of the history of Boisse-Penchot. To fully understand this unique marriage, we must take an interest in the village's industrial past. Indeed, due to the extraction of coal nearby, a glassworks was set up on the banks of the Lot in 1842. The management brought in specialized workers from the Lyon region, more precisely from Rive-de-Gier or from Givors. These men brought in their luggage and in their hearts their favorite sport, jousting. Since then, Boisse-Penchot has gained notoriety thanks to its nautical combats.

How have games evolved?

The first duels on water are recorded from the beginning of the 20th century. The Joyeuse company was created in 1936. The 1960s were particularly prosperous with many competitors, attracting a large audience. In 1995, La Joyeuse joined the FFJSN (French Federation of Jousting and Nautical Rescues). We are entering the big leagues, with several participations in the French championships in the Rhône-Alpes valley and Northern Loire. In 1999, a national final took place in Boisse-Penchot with the presence of the late Louis Nicollin, president of the FFJSN and president of the Montpellier-Hérault football club. We then organize three semi-finals in our town. In 2012, the Parisian jousting method was born here as well as a women's team which stood out, finishing 4th in a French championship.

Where is the club today?

In the 2000s and 2010s, we managed to maintain a jousting school. Today, in order not to lose what our elders have left us and to continue to make this tradition flourish, we wish to organize more major events. But since the Covid period, many jousters have stopped. During the summer, we organize training days and we set up initiations adapted to the school world to recruit young people aged 10 and over.

The Yoseikan Budo, the “extraordinary” martial art of Elian Vidal

This sport is a combination of all known martial arts. Fallen into oblivion in the face of the specialization of combat sports, this martial art is nevertheless still taught in Decazeville. Elian Vidal has been president of the association for several years.

What is Yoseikan Budo?

Yoseikan is a fairly recent discipline. It was created at the end of the sixties. It has its roots in Samurai families. Unlike the different martial arts, which focus on a fighting style, yoseikan budo takes into account all forms of combat (strikes, projection, weapons, etc.). It is a rather complete discipline but almost unknown to the public.

Who is this discipline for?

For us, yoseikan is for everyone. Whether it is children who we seek to channel, women who wish to learn self-defense or even simply martial art enthusiasts, yoseikan is made for everyone. It is a sport which obviously requires rigor, regularity and patience, but once the first results are visible, it is extremely rewarding.

What is the club doing today?

Today, we offer several classes per week supervised by our teacher, Frédéric Capdecoume. Having graduated from the first Dan of Yoseikan Budo, he is best suited to teach. We also participate in competitions when the opportunity presents itself for several years.