The elected official in charge of club development and Padel at the FFT, Hubert Picquier, allows us to take a real look at the main topics padel since the start of the year: health crisis, competitions, CNE training, the French team, the world championship, the French association of clubs padel private, authorized / affiliated clubs, FFT PADEL TOUR 2021 and obligations of top French players.

A cover of padel as quickly as possible

Following the health crisis, the Federation decided to set up a PSR - Support and Recovery Plan - 35 million, intended for its entire ecosystem: its clubs, teachers, high-level players, officials (referees and referees), not to mention its international tournament organizers.

Through this plan, affiliated clubs and the authorized structures of padel can be helped by the FFT, as High Level players of Padel. We also maintained contact with the players during the confinement period, in associating them with the reflection on the French classification.

We worked in close link with the Ministry for the implementation of the different protocol phases allowing secure de-containment. On this subject, I would like to point out that the French Tennis Federation has been a driving force within the sports movement and has made thee maximum so that the padel can resume as soon as possible given the risk of spread of the virus linked to the discipline.

Training padel : a major subject

Training is a major subject in the development of padel. In view of the laws and associated rules, we are working on the creation of a diploma of teaching of the practice which should be born for the end of the year, with initial training during 1er 2021 quarter.

It will be a "TFP": Title with Professional Purpose. This TFP will be therehas only diploma training in France, which will teach the Padel against remuneration. Training modules, equivalences with regard to DE Tennis are being studied.

Resumption of competition and P2000

As part of the PSR for High Level players, six P2000 tournaments will take place between August and December 2020. The organizational costs: communication, medical, logistics, endowment, etc. will remain the responsibility of the FFT within the framework of the support and recovery plan.

The first will be organized from August 21 to 23 at the TSPC du Mas in Perpignan. Here is the schedule of the other stages:

  • From September 11 to 13 at the Les Pyramides club at Port Marly (Ile-de-France League),
  • From September 25 to 27 in Toulouse Padel Club (Occitanie League),
  • October 9-11 at El Padel Wambrechies Club (Hauts-de-France League),
  • From 23 to 25 October to Padel Horizon of Sucy-en-Brie (Ile-de-France League),
  • From December 4 to 6 at the Big Padel in Mérignac (Ligue Nouvelle-Aquitaine).

Expanded gathering of the France team

Today, a gathering of players selectable in France Senior Teams is scheduled at Mas Tennis Club, in Perpignan from August 19 to 21.

This rally was originally planned during the 1st stage of FFT Padel Tour de Wambrechies, unfortunately canceled due to the health crisis. A training course for the French Teams is also planned before the World Championships.

Concerning the agreements between the selectors of the French Teams and the FFT, these are the subject of contracts which are established for a determined period. They are not automatically renewable, but there is no reason to change if everything goes well.

The world in Qatar

The Federation has naturally planned to send its France Senior Teams to Qatar. As we speak, the World Championships are scheduled for November 16-21. Depending on the development of sanitary measures, the FIP should possibly study a postponement of dates.

The association of clubs padel private (AFCP)

the 1er last July a first meeting of exchanges took place between the FFT and theAFCP.

This meeting was an opportunity tofrank and constructive discussions which made it possible to identify different themes on which we will work together.

I am delighted with the quality of these discussions, which will allow us to start this work in a relationship of trust. The day after this meeting, a reflection within the FFT services on certain proposals concerning the organization of competitions was initiated.

Authorized and affiliated clubs: a common goal

The private structures, authorized by the FFT and the clubs affiliated to the FFT pursue a common objective: the development of Padel. The Statutes and Regulations of the FFT make that an authorized structure does not have the same status as an affiliated club, it is a commercial entity.

As such, it cannot benefit from the same financial aid as an affiliated club.

However, we are working on methods that could allow us to support these structures. A relationship, WINNER / WINNER is the meaning of the round table held on 1er last July.

LThe Federation cannot subsidize a private structure. However, the Executive Committee, sensitive to the problems encountered following the health crisis, wished to help the authorized structures by offering them a loan at rate 0, repayable from 2023. An information email will be sent to them very soon.

Fabrice Pastor and the APT circuit PADEL TOUR

What Fabrice Pastor said during the installation are not completely accurate. The FFT will always be present to work for the development of padel on its territory and internationally.

The FFT, holder of the ministerial delegation concerning the activity of Padel, East full member of the FIP (International Federation of Padel).

Due to this stature and position, the FFT is only authorized to take part in and organize competitions approved by the latter.

Therefore you have to understand that organizing an APT Padel Tour by the FFT, is not possible today. It would be desirable that APT is close to FIP.

CNE Padel : a long process

The project on the Paris Sports Center on the Isle of Puteaux is part of a long process with stakeholders such as the Paris City Hall and the Puteaux City Hall.

We have no specific information to communicate on the subject to date 

FFT PADEL TOUR 2021 in “downtown”

Following the cancellation of FFT Padel Tour 2020 due to the health crisis, we are already working on the 2021 edition of the Tour, in particular with stages in the "City Center" allowing the promotion and discovery of the discipline.

The stages, dates and the organizational specifications will be known at the start of the school year.

Players: an obligation not to denigrate

The FFT concluded, with the best French players of padel, a convention under which she undertakes to pay the player financial assistance.

In return for the payment of this aid, the beneficiary undertakes to comply with a number of obligations, at a time sports (honor the selections for the French team, participate in the French championships padel...) and behavioral (refuse any doping practice, wear official attire during meetings of the French Team, do not denigrate the FFT…).

The FFT is a delegated sports federation of public service and recognized of public utility. Its employees are not however assimilated to civil servants or contractual agents, and are therefore not in fact imposed a duty of reserve.

However, as part of the contractual freedom, the FFT and its counterparties are entirely free to agree on counterparties. It is within this framework that counterpart of the aid paid by the FFT, the player undertakes in particular to respect a non-bashing obligation (which is the least of things).

In this case, the fact for the FFT to propose such a clause in the contract of a player of padel that she offers to help financially is not in any case an excessive restriction on the freedom of expression of the sportsman / woman considered.

Finally, and always in application of contractual freedom, the player is completely free to terminate the signed contract at any time and thereby waive the rights and duties it implies.

Finally, the FFT notes that the confidentiality clause contained in the contracts of the players of padel has clearly not been respected. The FFT therefore reserves the right to seize all legal channels against the person or persons who have not not fulfilled this obligation.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovers the padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since padel is part of his life. You often see him touring France going to cover the major events of padel French.

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