Nice Premium: What are your annual budgets and what percentage comes from public subsidies?
Claude Israël: €300,000, of which 65% are public subsidies.
NP: What is the scope of your activity and the most important areas of your action?
CI: We operate in the areas of Nice West and Pasteur. We organize the club’s tournament (the Challenge of the Heart) and participate in numerous local tournaments, training sessions, and various trips for young people (this year to Denmark).
NP: What is the number of members divided into seniors, juniors, and pre-training (sports schools)?
CI: We have 250 members, representing a 40% increase, divided into 40 seniors, 35 leaders, and 175 young people from 3 to 18 years old distributed in 13 squads, including one in Baby Handball.
NP: Do you have a structured training program for young people and what percentage of your budget is allocated to it?
CI: Currently, the training consists of two sessions per category conducted by educators of levels 3, 4, or even 6. This area represents 15% of our budget.
NP: What is the ratio between the number of players in the first team and those coming from the club’s training?
CI: At the moment, only a few young girls regularly attend training with the seniors. However, the club is young (4 and a half years), it narrowly avoided dormancy, and we are building around Valérie Nicolas with young girls arriving from elsewhere to attempt a daring challenge. Next season, it is not impossible to see two or three players from our training join this group.
NP: What are the achievements that satisfied you the most in 2009? Which ones did you not achieve that left you with the most regrets?
CI: In 2009, the objectives were very clear. A 4th consecutive promotion, which we achieved with 22 victories out of as many matches and the title of French N2 champion: objective achieved. We also were keen to structure the youth categories, especially for the girls. Once again, the goal has been largely achieved with a well-organized women’s sector thanks to very effective management.
NP: What are the priority objectives for 2010?
CI: The promotion of our first women’s team to D2. A qualification in the Mediterranean championship for our under-16 girls and a qualification in the French championship for our under-18 girls. The club aims to have competitive teams in the best championships by category.
