Pamiers Archers Push for National Prominence

The Compagnie d’Arc de Pamiers is no longer just a local fixture in the Ariège region; it has evolved into a competitive force capable of challenging the best in France. Under the leadership of President Eddy Gobbato, the club is currently balancing a rigorous high-performance trajectory with a deep commitment to community inclusion, all while operating out of the salle multisports du Foulon.

From the high-pressure environments of the French Indoor Archery Championships in Paris to the grueling quest for promotion to National Division 2, the Pamiers archers are consistently testing their limits. For a club approaching 100 licensed members, the breadth of talent—spanning from U15 prospects to seasoned seniors—marks a significant era of growth for the organization.

Precision Under Pressure: The Indoor Campaign

The early months of 2026 saw the club’s top competitors transition from regional dominance to the national stage. At the French indoor archery championships held in Paris, Pamiers was represented in the Seniors 2 category by Emmanuel Dupuis and Philippe Pagnutti. Both athletes navigated a dense and highly competitive qualification round, passing the “cut” in a session where margins were measured in millimeters.

Despite the strong start, the knockout stages proved difficult. Dupuis finished 14th while Pagnutti placed 28th. Both fell in their opening matches, with Dupuis losing 2-6 and Pagnutti falling 3-7. While the results were a disappointment, the experience served as a critical benchmark for their transition to the outdoor season.

Simultaneously, Marine Hequet continued to cement her status as one of the region’s premier archers. Entering the French indoor championship in Yzeure as a two-time consecutive champion of the Occitanie League, Hequet faced a challenging qualification round. However, she rallied in the match play, fighting her way to the round of 16 before narrowly losing 4-6. For Hequet, the indoor season was a stepping stone toward a promising spring schedule.

Cultivating Talent: From Youth Bronze to League Titles

The future of the club looks bright, driven by a youth program that is already producing national-level contenders. At the Ligue youth championships in Alès, Pamiers secured two significant bronze medals: Marine Hequet in the U21 category and Jordan Duclos in the U15 category. These performances earned both archers qualification for the French championships in Riom.

This success is not limited to the youth ranks. In other regional competitions, such as those held in Carcassonne, club members Fiona and Catherine both secured second-place finishes in their respective categories, further diversifying the club’s trophy cabinet.

The Climb to Division Nationale 2

One of the club’s most ambitious goals has been the ascent to Division Nationale 2 (D2). This journey reached a critical juncture during a decisive weekend in Brienon-sur-Armançon, Bourgogne Franche-Comté, where 24 teams from across France converged to fight for promotion.

The Pamiers women’s team entered the fray with significant momentum. During the final stage of the regional excellence championship in Rodez, the women’s squad defeated their rivals from Lattes. While they ultimately finished second in the general classification behind Lattes, they comfortably placed ahead of Muret, establishing themselves as a powerhouse in the region.

The men’s team faced a more tumultuous path. A last-minute forfeit left the squad without a replacement, and a rare equipment failure—a broken bow limb during the competition—forced one archer to finish using non-adapted limbs. These complications resulted in an 8th-place finish in the qualification round, highlighting the volatile nature of high-stakes archery.

A Community Hub: Inclusion and Infrastructure

Beyond the medals and rankings, Eddy Gobbato has steered the Compagnie d’Arc de Pamiers toward a philosophy of accessibility. The club has intentionally integrated programs for adapted sports, handisport, and therapeutic sports, ensuring that archery is available to all regardless of physical ability.

This inclusive growth is supported by a structured training regimen at the salle multisports du Foulon. From October through March, the club maintains a rigorous indoor schedule to preserve its athletes sharp:

• Monday: Adult beginners (19:30 – 21:30)
• Tuesday: Youth competitors (17:00 – 20:00)
• Wednesday: Adult competitors (19:00 – 21:00)
• Thursday: Free training (16:00 – 18:00)
• Friday: Free training (16:30 – 18:30)
• Saturday: Poussins (ages 7-9) and youth beginners (ages 10-16) (13:00 – 14:30)

By maintaining this balance of elite competition and grassroots accessibility, Pamiers is building a sustainable model for sports development in the Ariège. As the club moves into the outdoor season, the focus remains on refining precision and pushing for higher national rankings.

The next major milestone for the club will be the transition to outdoor training and the subsequent regional and national outdoor circuits. Stay tuned for updates on their progress toward D2 and the development of their youth stars.

Do you think the Pamiers women’s team has what it takes to overtake Lattes this season? Let us know in the comments.