Dojo Nantais has exited the Pro League, with club sporting director Adrien Lelièvre confirming that the relegation was expected due to financial realities and squad limitations.
Financial Realities Force Pro League Exit
The decision stems from a careful audit of club finances and roster depth. Competing in the Pro League drained financial resources faster than sporting or monetary returns justified, according to club leadership. Operating without a sufficient squad to sustain top-tier status made the drop inevitable.
« La relégation était attendue. On savait qu’on n’avait pas l’effectif pour rester en Pro League. Ça nous coûtait plus d’argent plus que ce qu’on gagnait sportivement et financièrement. On vit plutôt bien la relégation », Lelièvre stated, addressing the club’s financial positioning candidly.
Focus Shifts to Second Division National Championships
Rather than seeking an immediate return to the Pro League, Dojo Nantais is pivoting toward the second-division French team championships. The club aims to field both mixed teams and gender-specific squads capable of deep runs at the national level.
Preparation begins in earnest with a series of tournaments scheduled ahead of February deadlines. The immediate target for the club’s athletes is reaching the finals of each regional championship to secure direct qualification for the national tournament.
« Notre équipe peut se qualifier aux championnats de France. Pour la performance aux Nationaux, c’est encore dur à estimer. Finir autour de la 7e place cette année est un bon objectif », Lelièvre noted regarding expectations for the national stage.
Building a Family-Oriented Club Culture
Beyond immediate competitive targets, club management is prioritizing long-term structural stability. Historically serving as a transient stepping stone for athletes pursuing elite honors, Dojo Nantais wants to foster deeper institutional loyalty.
Le Dojo Nantais était un club transitoire vers le haut niveau. J’aimerais que les gens aient envie d’y rester », Lelièvre explained.
As part of this cultural shift, the club has upgraded its support network for athletes starting this season. Management intends to expand this group, retain core competitors, and solidify a high-performance training branch in Paris.
Upcoming Calendar and Key Dates
Dojo Nantais faces a busy spring schedule across regional and national competitions:
- Mixed Regional Team Championship: 30/01
- Mixed French Team Championship: 04/04
- Gender-Specific Regional Team Championship: 17/04
- Gender-Specific French Team Championship: 02/05
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