FFT Doubles Down on Padel: New National Training Center Opens in Historic Vichy – Breaking News
Bellerive-sur-Allier, Allier, France – In a significant boost for the rapidly growing sport of Padel, the French Tennis Federation (FFT) today officially inaugurated its brand new National Training Center (CNE Padel). This isn’t just another sports facility; it’s a bold statement of intent, signaling the FFT’s commitment to elevating Padel to a major sport in France and cultivating the next generation of champions. This is breaking news for sports enthusiasts and a key development for anyone following the rise of Padel globally.
A Historic Venue, A Modern Vision
Nestled just a stone’s throw from the Allier river and adjacent to the legendary clay courts of the Serenissimo Sporting Vichy Tennis Club – a club steeped in history, having hosted tennis greats like Yannick Noah and Ivan Lendl – the CNE Padel represents a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. Founded in 1908, the Vichy club provides a fitting backdrop for this ambitious project. The FFT strategically chose this location, recognizing the power of legacy and the potential for synergy.
Inside the Cutting-Edge Facility
The six-hectare complex boasts twelve state-of-the-art Padel courts – six indoor and six outdoor – ensuring year-round training opportunities for France’s most promising young players. But the CNE Padel is far more than just courts. It’s a comprehensive athlete development hub, offering on-site accommodation, catering, a medical center, and dedicated spaces for recovery, physical preparation, technical training, and even air-conditioned, multisensory rooms designed to enhance performance. This holistic approach reflects a modern understanding of athlete well-being and optimization.
The First Generation of Padel Stars
The center has already welcomed its inaugural cohort of twelve young athletes – eight boys and four girls – aged 13 to 16, representing various regions across France. This diverse group includes Élise Le Roux (Reunion), Siméo Debroy (Hauts-de-France), Lylwenn Laforge (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), Sacha Devriendt (Normandie), Elliot Mura (Normandie), Keny Vagliani (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur), Paul Guéguen (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur), Zia Debroy (Hauts-de-France), Augustine Charpentier (Hauts-de-France), Johan Peloux (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur), Quentin Bernard (Occitanie) and Olivier Guy de Chamisso (Île-de-France). These young talents will balance their training at the CNE with access to the resources of the CREPS Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, creating a powerful network of support.
FFT President Gilles Moretton: A Vision for the Future
During the inauguration ceremony, FFT President Gilles Moretton emphasized the significance of this moment for French Padel. “We believed in Padel, and the figures are there,” he stated, noting the impressive 550,000 Padel practitioners currently in France. “This CNE is proof of our ambition. It was important that we have a base, an exceptional place, and maintain the soul of a club. We need an alchemy to succeed, and we hope to see one of these young players competing at the Alpine Paris Major at Roland-Garros very soon.”
Vichy Embraces the Padel Revolution
Frédéric Aguilera, the mayor of Vichy, echoed Moretton’s enthusiasm, highlighting the alignment between the CNE Padel and the city’s broader sports strategy. “This inauguration is the convergence of all our policies for years,” Aguilera said. “High-level sport and events are major pillars of our policy. It is a real pride to see these young people who will promote France abroad.”
Padel’s Rapid Rise: A Global Phenomenon
Padel, a racquet sport that blends elements of tennis and squash, has experienced explosive growth in recent years, particularly in Europe and Latin America. Its accessibility, social nature, and relatively low cost of entry have contributed to its widespread appeal. While France still lags behind leading Padel nations like Spain and Argentina, the FFT’s investment in the CNE Padel demonstrates a clear commitment to closing the gap. For those interested in learning more about the sport, resources like the French Tennis Federation’s Padel page offer a great starting point.
The opening of the CNE Padel isn’t just about building a facility; it’s about building a future. It’s about providing a platform for young French athletes to reach their full potential and establishing France as a force to be reckoned with in the world of Padel. Stay tuned to archyde.com for continued coverage of this exciting development and the rising stars of French Padel.
