After leading the tennis club in Aiguillon for a decade, Colette Laruelle officially stepped down from her role as president during the annual general meeting held at the club-house. She was surrounded by local officials and long-standing members. Her departure marks the end of a remarkable era defined by facility upgrades, deep community ties, and a legacy built on four decades of association involvement.
A Decade of Leadership Concludes in Aiguillon
Municipal Honors and Family Focus
The leadership transition was attended by Aiguillon Mayor Christian Girardi and his deputy, Joël Jacob, who joined club members to honor Laruelle’s contributions. Reflecting on her time at the helm, municipal leaders praised her unwavering dedication, availability, and determination. In recognition of her service, Mayor Girardi presented Laruelle with a bouquet of flowers, highlighting her past work as a judge-arbitre and her continuous support for local players.
Laruelle stated that her decision to step down was carefully considered, noting that her current plan is to spend more time with her grandchildren. Despite relinquishing the presidency, she intends to remain involved with the tennis community, specifically assisting with the children’s Galaxie tournament, an event close to her heart.
Four Decades of Court-Side History
Laruelle’s history with the Aiguillon tennis organization spans nearly forty years. She originally joined the association during the presidency of Jean-Marie Bougier before eventually succeeding Xavier Pons Bernard as president ten years ago. Throughout her dual mandates, working alongside both former mayor Jean-François Sauvaud and current mayor Christian Girardi, Laruelle spearheaded the total renovation of the facility’s two tennis courts, leaving behind modernized infrastructure for the membership.
A Competitive Athletic Background
Stepping into the role as the club’s new president is Martine Toulmonde. A local municipal councillor and a school teacher at Marcel Pagnol school, Toulmonde brings a strong athletic background to the position. Having played competitive tennis until the age of 25—including appearances in the fourth-series French championships and playing two matches on the clay courts of Roland-Garros—she later transitioned to other racket sports such as badminton and padel.
Vision for the Next Generation
Toulmonde plans to use her new platform to promote racket sports among younger generations, aiming to build stronger connections between local schools and sports activities through a health-focused initiative. She takes over the leadership supported by an established network of club coaches and volunteers.
