For the second consecutive year, the Chambre des Métiers et de l’Artisanat (CMA) of Cunac has claimed the French national badminton team championship for apprentices, cementing its status as a rising force in French scholastic sports. The victory came at the Championnat de France de Badminton des Apprentis, held in early April 2026 at the Centre sportif international La Base in Temple-sur-Lot, where Cunac’s squad of trainee bakers, chefs, mechanics, plumbers and sales professionals outperformed 56 other competing institutions to reach the final stage.
The achievement marks a historic milestone for the Tarn-based training center, which had previously won the inaugural Andsa French Badminton Championship in July 2025 — the first-ever national team title in the competition’s history. That earlier triumph, held in Corrèze, featured a mixed squad of first- and second-year apprentices across trades including commerce, restoration, hairdressing, cooking, and automotive services. Now, with back-to-back titles, Cunac has established itself as the benchmark for excellence in apprentice-level badminton in France.
Central to this year’s success was Loïc Bussy, whose individual performance elevated the team’s accomplishment to legendary status. Bussy not only contributed to the team victory but as well captured the individual French championship in the boys’ division — a first for any apprentice from Cunac. His dual achievement as both national team champion and individual titleholder underscores a rare blend of athletic excellence and vocational dedication, especially given his concurrent recognition as Meilleur Apprenti de France in boulangerie (baking).
The road to victory began in January 2026, when Cunac’s apprentices dominated the regional tournament in Toulouse, securing three prestigious titles and qualifying five of six male entrants and Juliette Cabal for the knockout stages. Cabal went on to win the regional girls’ title without dropping a match, while Bussy advanced to the final after defeating Shéraz Abbas in a closely contested semifinal. That regional momentum carried into the national event, where team cohesion and disciplined preparation proved decisive against formidable opponents from across France.
Jean-Michel Camps, president of the CMA of Cunac, praised the collective effort behind the win, highlighting the support of local employers who released apprentices for competition and the guidance of physical education instructors Fabrice Morère and Patrick Martinez. “We are proud of our apprentices, their commitment, and the positive image they project of our institution,” Camps stated, reflecting the institution’s emphasis on balancing professional training with athletic development.
The triumph reinforces a growing tradition of excellence in apprentice sports within France’s Chambre des Métiers network. By integrating high-level athletics into vocational training, institutions like Cunac demonstrate how discipline, teamwork, and perseverance on the court can mirror the values required in skilled trades. As the 2026 champions prepare to defend their title in 2027, their story stands as a testament to what can be achieved when education, sport, and community unite around a shared goal of excellence.
The next confirmed checkpoint for the Cunac apprentices is the regional qualification tournament for the 2027 Championnat de France de Badminton des Apprentis, expected to take place in early 2027, though specific dates and venues have not yet been announced by the organizing body.
What are your thoughts on the growing role of sports in vocational training programs? Share your perspective in the comments below or join the conversation on social media.
