The French division in Brest, with its 3 Olympic titles, is aiming for other titles at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, notably in the Women's 470 category.
What are the Pôles Espoirs and France Voile?
These are resource structures that organize at the national level training, physical preparation, as well as medical monitoring, coordination and follow-up of studies in agreement with schools and universities. The Poles are part of the "Performance Plan Fédération Française de Voile". Young athletes join the Pôle Espoirs, then, after selection, the Pôle France and finally, for the best, the French team.
What training, what diploma to occupy this position?
A university and professional curriculum oriented towards Sport, Performance and Pedagogy. As with all coaching and teaching activities, a diploma issued by the Ministry of Sport is compulsory. The usual course of training begins with a STAPS Licence (Science and Techniques of Physical and Sports Activities) supplemented by professional and technical sailing qualifications such as the DE-JEPS (State Diploma of Youth, Popular Education and Sport) followed by the DES-JEPS (Higher State Diploma of Youth, Popular Education and Sport). This opens up the possibility of competing for the Professorat de Sport awarded by the Ministry of the same name.
A different path for Valérie who started with a DEA in criminal law while being a windsurfer...before continuing with a DE-JEPS to turn her passion into a profession. This also shows that several paths are possible.
What skills are required?
"Being a gardener. "You have to imagine the flower in the making and adapt the care according to the plant, the seasons, the date of flowering and/or the competition. In our job we must be humble and careful. As both a teacher and a psychologist, I need to know my athletes' abilities in order to be able to offer suitable training for both individuals and teams.
Through the results and training, I must be able to analyze everything to improve performance again and again. I must always try to optimize the abilities of the athletes I train.
The coach must therefore have good communication skills and be able to clearly explain what she wants and how to do it. I also have for me to have practiced windsurfing at a good level, and even if it is not essential this experience gives me credibility and knowledge.
Last skill or quality, patience... The result is a long time, sailing is a sport with maturity and experience.
What daily newspaper?
A permanent challenge. Analysing, Designing, Preparing, Training, Accompanying... There is no such thing as routine, because the day's objectives must be continually adapted to the real conditions, the form and the motivation of the athletes.
We also have to adapt our schedules to the availability of athletes and the competition calendar. This means working sooner or later, at weekends or on public holidays.
What fascinates us is the human adventure as much as the sporting adventure, it's a real motivation.
What responsibility?
To bring the athlete's sports project to fruition. Gather all the conditions to win a medal, to develop and empower the individual. One cannot be achieved without the other.
What are the possible evolutions of this profession?
Some have become ministers! More commonly, in the sports professions, becoming coordinator of a Pôle France and/or obtaining a national mission within its umbrella federation or another are interesting prospects. Otherwise I think that the business world, after training and updating their knowledge, may be interested in profiles as Project Managers like us.
