The Labarthe Tennis Club underwent a leadership transition during its annual general meeting on Saturday, September 19, 2026, as president Sylvie Cazaux stepped down after serving since 2010. Aurore Dupla, who previously served as the association’s secretary, officially accepted the presidency to lead the club into its next operational phase.
A Structural Shifting of the Executive Board
The transition at the top triggered a cascade of administrative changes across the club’s executive committee. Anthony Duprat stepped into the vacant secretary role left by Dupla, with Anaïs Ricaud joining him as assistant. Meanwhile, Michel Petaut took over treasurership duties from Viviane Riqueza, who remains closely tied to the financial operations by stepping into the assistant treasurer position.
Club operations rely heavily on a committed core of about ten volunteers distributed across several specialized committees. Records for the 2025–2026 season highlight the division of labor: Claire Vougny and Christine Lamotte managed the sports commission, Benjamin Chaffois directed the youth commission, and a four-person team comprising Viviane Riqueza, Christian Ibos, Christine Lamotte, and Ondina Marsan organized club events. Facility maintenance and equipment management fell to Alain Rigaut.
Managing Multi-Sport Facilities and Growing Padel Demand
The incoming committee inherits a packed agenda overseeing diverse athletic infrastructure. The club manages two illuminated tennis courts, one padel court, and a pickleball court. Maintaining these surfaces requires consistent organization, particularly as newer racquet sports draw in broader participation.
Padel has emerged as a significant draw for the association, attracting players from various backgrounds well beyond the club’s baseline of 72 registered members in Labarthe-Rivière. Competitive engagement remained high over the past year, with the club entering multiple youth and senior teams across eight distinct challenges, trophies, and championships, alongside individual tournament entries.
Youth Development and the 2026–2027 Outlook
On-court instruction remains anchored by state-certified professional Benjamin Chaffois, who oversees the tennis school. Beyond club training sessions and adult clinics, the instructional staff extended outreach into local academic institutions, conducting introductory sessions for 74 children across Labarthe-Rivière and surrounding village schools.
Looking ahead to the 2026–2027 season, leadership has signaled a clear focus on continuity combined with expansion. The club plans to broaden its adult programming across tennis, padel, and pickleball, while maintaining its community focus through social events. The schedule features a dedicated pickleball animation slated for Saturday, December 5, 2026, in support of the Téléthon.
