After a busy year 2022, the president of the Black Panthers of Thonon-les-Bains takes stock, before attacking 2023 and its ambitious projects.
Despite the last three years interspersed with covid periods and long suspensions of its championship, tricolor American football is staying the course. In 2022, the Thonon-les-Bains club had a full year. At the top, the welcome in Haute-Savoie of the Diamond Helmet, for his 26e editing. A grand final in which the Blacks Panthers took part, in front of their audience. To this, from a sporting point of view, we must add this European Cup game, against Madrid. Above all, the club has continued to structure itself, with significant financial sustainability and expansion of its activities, in a sport in full development.
Top 2024, a consolidated project
“In 2022, after two years marked by the pandemic, we focused on the objectives set by the Top 2024 development project”, explains Benoît Sirouet, president of the Black Panthers. At the dawn of its 35th anniversary, next April, the club is continuing its construction, through the SAS Panthers Pro Performance. Now, the Black Panthers have registered two full-time hires, with a physical trainer and a coach dedicated to the young performance section, which is also gaining momentum. The realization of numerous partnerships with local actors, media, organizers and sponsors.
600 licensees
In 2023, the club wants to continue“to be a major player in social inclusion through the flag and US football”through its professionalization and its anchoring in the territory, which now extends to the neighboring valleys. “It’s very important, we want to continue to have an impact on the development of the flag and American football here in Thonon, and not only. », abounds Benoit Sirouet. “All of this is the result of long hours of work and the perseverance of each person who works for the association. New sporting and structural challenges will be in sight very quickly in this new year; and there is no doubt in my mind that we will rise to the challenge,” concludes the president. With the aim of installing the club in the European top 10 and continuing its sustainability, the year 2023 promises to be full in Thonon.
