Éric Borghini, president of the Côte d’Azur Football District, gives a general health report on football in the Alpes Maritimes for the new year 2012, while wishing “the best possible wishes to the Nice Premium readers who are football enthusiasts.”
“Amateur football on the Côte d’Azur is doing rather well” These are the words with which Eric Borghini chose to respond directly to the question concerning the health of football in the 06 area. “Our organizations are well established. The desire of our clubs to offer, especially to the younger players, the opportunity to live their passion in friendship, fraternity, but also with courage, remains as strong as ever,” he rejoices.
However, the number of registered members once again fell in 2011. Very slightly, it’s true, but still real. Nevertheless, this does not worry the president of the District. “As of the same date, January 9 (2012 compared to 2011), we have recorded a total decrease of 197 members, or -0.01%. The hemorrhage observed in previous seasons has therefore been stopped. It should be noted that last season we had an increase of 1,018 licenses between the beginning of January and the end of the season. We can reasonably imagine that we will remain within this magnitude.”
Too many incidents in U19 and U17
The number of registered members clearly does not worry Eric Borghini. On the other hand, the too many incidents occurring during the matches of the younger players alert the lawyer. “My concern mainly lies with the behavior of the U19 and U17 teams. The number of incidents recorded exceeds that of all senior players!” And it is thanks to an exceptional statistical tool (the Behavior Observatory) that the District president and his team were able to make this observation: “this tool records all incidents noted from exclusions (red cards) or reports by officials (referees and delegates). Thus we know, in real-time, the evolution of the situation, including for each club individually. This allows us to take the necessary preventive measures, such as placing some matches, called “protected,” under the authority of officials: referee trio, delegates, observers.”
But that’s not all, the Côte d’Azur District also ensures to work closely with the National Police, National Gendarmerie, and other authorities. “This is to anticipate all forms of drift to the maximum, including the most harmful such as racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, and discrimination. We indeed inaugurated last season a particularly fruitful partnership with LICRA which we intend to continue this season.”
The “Knysna” obstacle seems overcome
While once again regretting “the impact of the disastrous World Cup in South Africa,” Eric Borghini deemed that the cap was now crossed. “Knysna ultimately had no real impact on amateur football, as the population of young players remained stable in 2010-2011 compared to 2009-2010. It was in seniors that the drop was most noticeable. But it is not necessarily due to the failure of the French team, but much more to an evolution in the expectations of some seniors who aspire to football focused more on “leisure” than on “competition” with the obligations that come with it of several weekly training sessions and a Sunday spent away from family. We now live in a world where constraints are increasingly difficult to bear, and where the satisfaction of all desires must be immediate. This is why the role of a leader is becoming increasingly complicated.”
Relocation and U13 reform on the 2012 agenda!
2012 will mark a new beginning for the Côte d’Azur Football District, which is set to benefit from a new headquarters and new premises. “The operation should be finalized during the year. It is a priority file for us, and the clubs have understood this well. Indeed, the change of premises had become essential to allow us to effectively fulfill our mission of public sporting service in good conditions. And this both for welcoming our clubs and for improving the working conditions of our staff and our 120 volunteers who work daily to ensure the proper functioning of our football community on the Côte d’Azur.” Eric Borghini explains. On the sporting side, strictly speaking, “a U13 championship reform project that can receive the approval of the largest number” should be presented, indicated the current president.
Finally, the man of law returned to the Extraordinary General Assembly on December 20, where he officially announced that he will lead a list for the general elections that will take place in June. “This election will also be an issue for the future of the District.”
