On the eve of P1000 which starts this FridayCharles Viard, president of Padel 95, took the time to detail his background, the structure of the club and his vision for the development of padel. A straightforward speech, strongly rooted in volunteering, community involvement and a balance with the private sector.

"For me, volunteering was almost second nature."

Aged 52, Charles Viard has never conceived of sport without commitment.
« I started volunteering at football and tennis clubs when I was 16. "He says.
At only 22 years old, he is already taking on important responsibilities.
« At 22, I was president of the ENNERY US tennis club in Val-d'Oise. »

This vocation has its roots in his family environment.
« I grew up in a family that did a lot of volunteer work. For me, it was something natural. »
An experience that left a lasting mark on him.
« I met a lot of people, and it enriched me enormously on a personal level. »

"This experience helped me enormously when I became an entrepreneur."

In 1999, at the age of 27, Charles Viard founded EcoSport.
« When I set up EcoSport, it was immediately useful to me: I already had a network and I understood how volunteers worked. »

Twenty-six years later, his company works with 110 tennis and padel clubsSometimes both.
« Today, I interact with more than 500 leaders and approximately 40,000 members. »
A privileged vantage point.
« On a daily basis, I talk with club presidents and teachers who tell me about their problems. »

This dual experience fosters a strong conviction.
« I am convinced that a balance between the private and non-profit sectors is possible, but under certain conditions. »

"A private club must be profitable, an association does not. The two can coexist."

Charles Viard sets a clear framework.
« A private club needs to recoup its rent, expenses, and staff costs. A non-profit organization (governed by the 1901 law) is non-profit. »
Two different worlds, but not incompatible.
« When done intelligently, these two worlds can truly coexist and achieve great things together. »

Padel 95 is intended to be a concrete example.
« I sincerely hope that Padel 95 is a living example of this coexistence. »

"Private individuals make the land available to the association."

The club's operation is based on a deliberately hybrid organization.
« À Padel 95, there are three partners, three companies that own 100% of the private structure. »
These companies manage the economic aspects.
« Land rental, reception, maintenance, all of that is on the private side. »

In parallel, a non-profit organization (governed by the French law of 1901) operates independently.
« We have a real association, with a president. Today it's me, but tomorrow someone could replace me. »
The idea is simple.
« Private individuals make land available to the association, just as a town hall does for a municipal club. »

"We're not just organizing games, we're running a club."

The association is at the heart of sporting life.
« We manage group classes, and today more than 300 people take classes with us. »
Competitive activity is sustained.
« We organize more than fifteen tournaments per month, plus all kinds of entertainment. »

And the objective is clear.
« We didn't want the complex to be just a place where you come to play and then leave. »
Padel 95 aims to be a place to live.
« It's a place where you play games, have a drink, see your friends, and cheer on the teams. »

"Teams were an obvious choice from the start."

The association also manages the teams.
« We have five men's teams and two women's teams. »
A structuring choice.
« From the beginning, we immediately wanted teams. »

A financial commitment that has been acknowledged.
« It costs the association between 5,000 and 6,000 euros. »
Funded differently.
« We balance things out thanks to sponsorship and actions carried out within the club. »

"The volunteer chooses their role; nothing is imposed on them."

Today, about fifteen volunteers are regularly involved.
« Including quite a few women, by the way. »
Their place is central, but framed.
« The balance between employees, volunteers, shareholders and managers is not easy. »

The rule is simple.
« Everyone needs to know their role. »
And especially :
« A volunteer is not forced to do anything. They choose what they want to do. »

"Among children and women, the rates are above average."

Padel 95 displays some telling figures.
« Among children and women, the figures are roughly double those of the departmental and regional statistics. »
A deliberate choice.
« We are clearly focusing on children and women, because that is what we are being asked to do. »

Even if it costs money.
« Children's classes are cheaper. We lose a little money, but that's intentional. »
The same applies to some players.
« We also help 2, 3, 4 very good players with adapted rates. »

"We're continuing with the women's tournaments on weekends, despite everything."

For women, the club is making a choice that goes against the grain.
« We organize women's tournaments during full hours on Saturdays. »
I asked: "Why?"
« Because many people can't get away during the week. »

Despite the low profitability.
« We are one of the last centers to do it, because others believe it doesn't bring in enough money. »
But Charles Viard insists.
« We're continuing. »

"Private clubs aren't just there to issue licenses."

The message he wants to convey is clear.
« The committees, leagues and federation need to stop seeing private clubs solely as license-generating machines. »
According to him :
« When there is a genuine will, private clubs can fully integrate into the associative fabric. »

Padel 95 claims this line.
« We do leisure activities, competitions, and we highlight children and women. »
And the next steps are already being considered.
« We will also be moving towards padel for people with disabilities, and other projects that are close to our hearts. »

"We want a vibrant club, open to members and non-members alike."

There are numerous off-field activities.
« We did Pink October, Movember, and the Telethon. »
But also friendly entertainment.
« Themed hill climb, Beaujolais Nouveau, crêpes, Candlemas… »

The objective remains the same.
« Inventing things, like all dynamic associations. »
And open the club.
« To members, but also to non-members. »

On the eve of the P1000

It is in this context that the opening of this weekend P1000 of Padel 95More than just a tournament, the event is part of a global philosophy.
« To promote padel, without forgetting human values. »

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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