Obviously, this is not about focusing solely on a numerical evaluation or even dwelling on the scoring system that Nice Premium has adopted, which is naturally subjective.
What matters is the comparison between the cities composing this panel. In any case, the picture is clear and unmistakably shows the mediocre positioning of Nice’s team sports in relation to the proclaimed ambitions: Nice wants to be a great sports city and a great sporting city!
Of course, we do not want to overlook the positive dynamic of the Nice-Cannes Marathon, the Ironman, the Tennis Open, and, even if episodic, the Louis Vuitton Cup.
But, here we want to remind of the symbolic relationship of these clubs with a city, which also means a sense of belonging to a community.
Because it is these clubs that represent sporting tradition and sometimes history and glory.
This is why the positioning of Nice compared to other French cities is both disappointing and quite concerning. Disappointing because it highlights the overall weakness of the current situation and concerning because it compels us to measure the distance yet to cover to achieve results in line with declared ambitions.
But, since “wanting is not always being able,” will this leap forward be possible within a timeframe of 3 to 5 years, which represents a reasonable period to change things?
First of all, it involves determining the reason or reasons for this result (lack of sporting culture or discipline, insufficient public and private funding, inadequate management, difficult competitive framework, etc.) but above all and more particularly what we can envisage in the future: a stable situation, even a decline or a capacity for renewal?
Quality and availability of infrastructure
We can already say that the quality of sports facilities is not up to the standard required by modern clubs: we will not mention the repetitive problem of the football stadium while waiting for the Grand Stade, which should be ready in 2013. But, for example, is the Arboras stadium the appropriate venue for the ambitions of Nice rugby?
And how can indoor sports that do not have a modern-standard sports hall meet the expectations of demanding public and partners, continuing to play in modest halls in terms of both size and comfort (Leyrit Hall, Palmeira Hall, Eucalyptus Gymnasium…)?
We want to conclude this mini-survey by asking decision-makers and political, economic, and sports actors their opinion to better understand if “Sportive Nice” will have a promising future or will have to settle for a situation equal to the current one. Because we do not doubt the willingness of the City Hall for “Nice to be a great sporting city” but as we realistically say: “We all have good intentions, the problem is in their implementation!”
COMPARATIVE RESULTS
- Paris: 44 points, 6 clubs among the elite + 2 new promotions
- Montpellier: 38 pts, 7 clubs among the elite and one title
- Toulouse: 37 pts, 7 clubs among the elite and one title
- Lyon: 32 pts, 3 clubs among the elite and one title
- Nantes: 26 pts, 2 clubs among the elite + 2 new promotions
- Lille: 22 pts, 3 clubs among the elite
- 7. Nice: 20 pts, 2 clubs among the elite
- Bordeaux: 17 pts, 1 club among the elite
- Marseille: 10 pts, 1 club among the elite and French champion
- Strasbourg: 9 pts, 1 club among the elite
Scoring system used:
For men: Club in D1: 6 pts, Club in D2: 4 pts, and D3: 2 pts
For women: Club in D1: 4 pts, Club in D2: 2 pts
For both categories: 1 bonus point in case of promotion and 2 bonus points in case of a title. 1 negative point in case of relegation.
Survey conducted by Damien Richy
