A federal sports project for the FFVoile
"2020 is also a particularly important year for the federation, with the implementation of our federal sports project," says Nicolas Hénard, president of the French Sailing Federation in his editorial at the start of the new season. This document, although very theoretical, indicates the main lines of the policy desired by the French sailing authorities. It was also a necessity for the structure, in order to maintain its funding from the new National Sports Agency, established in 2019. It makes several observations on navigation practices and sets out actions to be taken.
Capitalising on the right image of sailing
The FFVoile lists the strengths and opportunities available to the sport. The federation insists on the strength of its structure and its territorial network to seize the opportunities linked to the good image of sailing in France, "a practice dreamed of by the French with 12 million supporters". It is also betting on the 2024 Olympic Games on the Marseilles lake. Nevertheless, it warns about the difficulties of communication with the public, but also with its own clubs. Financial problems and the development of water sports in individual practice are other potential hindrances identified.
Actions for sailing between 2020 and 2024
The FFVoile has set itself 4 structuring objectives: access to water for all, the role of accompanying the federation, putting the club at the heart of the project and access at the highest level. To do this, it intends to act on 4 transversal levers: digitalisation, communication, training and respect for the environment. The federal project lists a series of themes on which to carry out flagship actions such as health sport, handicapped sailing or women's sailing. It is regrettable that the competition, necessary but not sufficient for the future of sailing, keeps a preponderant part in it, counting for 5 out of 8 themes presented.
