Youth training in France, what future?

At a time when the FFT has announced, in the near future, major changes for the Padel, I wanted to look into and conduct the investigation (as promised a few months ago) on one of the proposed federal actions: the place, the future and the training of young people in Padel in France (by young people, I mean those under 16… sorry).

I took my best feather and sent a message, general, to more than 30 people: tennis teachers who teach or have tennis courts. Padel in their club; club managers; leaders; volunteers ; elected officials… After 10 days, 2 answers! The job of journalist is not easy, I can imagine. So I prepared another message, more specific, and made a few phone calls. My survey is based on around twenty clubs and more than 25 teachers.

Thank you all for answering me, without much fanfare, with a lot of frankness and confidence ... without you, this article was unthinkable.

Where we are ?

At the legal level, in France, State Tennis graduates can teach Padel against remuneration. You can also sign a Professional Qualification Contract (CQP) or a State Diploma in Youth, Popular Education and Sport (DEJEPS).

There are also federal training courses (FFT) given over a few days, as well as private organizations that offer training courses to teach Padel.

But no state diploma recognized by the Ministry of Sports and Youth, specific to the Padel.

The FFT is looking into this problem and wants, starting this year, to offer a federal diploma in order to allow those coming from the world of Padel (not tennis) to be able to teach legally. Then, the FFT hopes to be able to reach an agreement with the Ministry to set up a training course leading to the obtaining of a State Diploma specific to the Padel. It will take several years ...

Regarding the schools of Padel, in France, great disparities exist. Youth training in padel is almost non-existent at the moment. Few of the clubs offer a Padel, who lives very well!

According to my survey, in France, on the fingers of one hand, there are clubs with trained teachers, where dozens of young people meet on Wednesdays and / or Saturdays, to learn this new sport: around 20%.

In other clubs, it is the tennis teacher, recreational player of Padel, who gives a few hours here and there, in addition to his working hours, without specific training.

Elsewhere, there is sometimes no opportunity to take classes, even if there are grounds. No offer offered.

Training / Competition / Activities: overview?

What about training the next generation of footballers? Padel in France ? What about events, tournaments, championships reserved for young people under 16, today in France? Where are we in the development, at the base, of this sport? Not much done but a lot in preparation!

At the national level, the Federation wishes, as of this year, to set up a French team for young people! And ensure that these young people represent the colors of France at the next international championships. What about the selection? How to choose the young people who will be part of the French team? How to organize detection and selections, indisputable and fair, for all? We are already in March ...

In PACA (pilot league for various projects), departmental and regional championships will take place this year, for young people. Interclub, matches and entertainment days will also be organized to allow young people to confront each other during major festive days. Already 16 stages planned!

And this is the whole spirit of Padel. It is also a federal desire to offer entertainment coupled with competition to help the development of this sport. The two are inseparable to promote the Padel.

Other leagues should organize championships as well… but, for the moment, little communication and official information. The federal machine is complex and long to set up, but once started things can go very quickly! If all parties "play the game".

And the clubs in all this?

Several clubs, mostly private clubs, did not wait for the FFT and have set up days for young people: Padel quarterly or annually (more than 80% of clubs surveyed); courses during school holidays (more than 50% of clubs); anniversary day; family activities or "bring a friend" (a third of the clubs have already offered it); organization of internal tournaments (or even approved: it is now possible to approve a youth tournament. Few clubs have yet launched (Le Mas, Casa Padel and Spirit Padel, to my knowledge)). Several clubs, contacted, told me that they were working on setting up a youth tournament from 2019. Some clubs have even already planned interclub days this year. Days where children have fun playing and playing matches against children from another club: entertainment and competition, again and again!

As for the success of these actions, everything depends on the club, the structures, the reception and the teaching team in place. But some places refuel as well with the school of Padel only during internships. Almost half of the clubs contacted offer internships, with varying degrees of success. Lack of staff, not the club's policy of developing young people, other ancillary activities, price for the profitability of the private club and the teacher, are the main brakes that emerged from my survey.

What future for young people?

The machine is on! Even if it is slow to start (the machine is very heavy ...), the projects were discussed, voted on and approved by the elected officials in charge of the development of the Padel, at the FFT.

On a "private" initiative, the training of young people will extend to more and more children, thanks to future specific training. Padel intended for those who meet the criteria as well as for the communication that the Federation will put in place around these developments.

In the meantime, everything has to be done: create the training modules, find the competent resource people for each position, think up and set up the training (dates, times, costs, places, etc.), create a diploma and fair tests and fair ...

As you can see, there are many projects, great and beautiful challenges… which must now be achieved! I will come back very quickly to all these new questions and investigations to be carried out ...

Do not hesitate to react ! To suggest subjects that I can deal with, etc.

Line Meites

Line Meites is one of the best French players in padel. It's the voice of your live on Padel Magazine. But not only, she also hosts the column “Investigations of the Swiss Army Knife”. Every month, she will come back to a controversy or a theme that is close to her heart.