As part of the partnership agreements between the leading club and the amateur clubs in the department, a visit to the new training and development center allowed the leaders of these clubs to see the newly inaugurated facilities, which make the Nice club a reference in the field.
On the agenda, a tour of the administrative and accommodation areas as well as the training and professional fields and equipment.
The synergy between the two sectors is an integral part of the club’s policy and is now bearing fruit at the highest level. Evidence of this is the display of photos of players from the training who have become professionals under the Nice jersey or who have moved on to other pastures. There are 26 of them.
This new center, being more modern and spacious than the old one,
represents a step forward for the club. It is the result of significant work undertaken by Jean-Pierre Rivère, the club’s President since July 2011.
It was designed to provide comfort to the professional squad. Thus, the professional players have at their disposal a spacious weight room. They also have access to a single or double room with a television, where they can rest before home matches or between two training sessions.
The press conference room and changing rooms are much larger than before, thus providing the players with added comfort.
The complex features three fields, two of which are grass and one hybrid. Two additional fields will be added in 2019.
The comfort of the young players at the training center has also been improved: the classrooms and computer room are much larger than before, thereby enhancing and facilitating the learning process for young players. They also have rooms, but instead of televisions, there are desks for them to work on their studies.
“This new training center gives an impression of grandeur, which enhances the image of a professional club compared to what it used to be,” according to Cristou Daurore, the legendary “voice” in Nissart who has long commented on the red-and-blacks’ home games on the radio.
Jean-Pierre Rivère is pleased with this achievement: “The training center is one of the foundations of the OGC Nice project. In 2015-16, the first team had the youngest average age in Europe. With its various categories integrated into a true continuity, OGC Nice works on the personal development of each of the boys who wear its colors and the emergence of the best among the elite. By involving them from an early age in its project, the club aims to make its young players the committed ambassadors of its identity.”
In conclusion of this visit, the Nice president thanked the visitors and confirmed his intention to unite all the minor clubs in the department around their flagship club: “For us, professional football exists because there is amateur football. If they are not there, if they do not work with the young players, we never have young players reaching the pros. I know their work well because I have the opportunity to witness it as a parent. It’s remarkable work,” claims the president of the leading Nice club. “It’s dedication, it’s time. We are very happy to have agreements with so many clubs. Partnerships need to breathe and live. Clubs come here. This exchange is fundamental.”
Maxime Mistura
