Ariège tennis clubs reached a record total of 2,732 registered members this season, marking an 11.37% increase over 2025, according to figures released at the departmental committee’s annual general meeting held in Mercus-Garrabet.
Departmental Committee Reports Record Membership and Active Clubs
During the annual gathering of the Ariège tennis committee, president Alexandra Rodriguez announced that the 25 affiliated clubs across the department now count 2,732 players on their rosters. Committee secretary general Karine Cots detailed the distribution of those members during the session. Foix leads the department with 465 active players, followed by Pamiers with 339, Ariège Padel with 228, and Varilhes with 220. Young players account for 1,100 of the total membership base.
Individual standout results complemented the growth in numbers. Aronn Marzolino, aged 9, captured the regional championship title, while Hanaé d’Agro Rafine (9) and Maelynn d’Agro Rafine (8) finished as finalists. In national competition, Léo Guiroy advanced to the semifinals of the fourth-series French championship. Meanwhile, the town of Mercus hosted a national wheelchair tennis open tournament featuring 20 high-level competitors, and Foix organized a dedicated padel training camp.
Financial Health Supported by Padel Growth and Public Funding
Laurent Tournier presented a fiscal report showing a net positive balance of €21,647, driven by competition entry fees and rising demand for padel facilities. Public allocations contributed directly to the balance sheet, with the departmental council providing €9,000 and the National Sports Agency contributing €2,145. Rental income generated by padel courts reached €27,484. The positive financial result will be allocated directly to the association fund.
Looking ahead, the committee approved a provisional budget of €112,559 for 2027, which includes earmarked funds for infrastructure improvements on the padel courts. The committee also advanced a objectives convention signed with the Occitanie regional league. Out of eight targeted projects outlined in the agreement, local clubs successfully fulfilled four, leaving the development of women’s tennis and pickleball as ongoing priorities for the upcoming term.
Occitanie Prioritizes Youth Tennis Training and Infrastructure
Occitanie regional league president Philippe Bélou addressed the assembly regarding the strategic direction of the sport in the region. He noted that while membership growth in padel and pickleball remains achievable, traditional tennis must remain the foundational pillar of the organization, pointing to youth training for players aged 8 to 10 as an essential priority.
Departmental councillor Fabien Guichou reinforced the local government’s commitment to sports infrastructure during the meeting. He stated that the departmental council had tripled its sports budget to support local clubs, which he described as vital social anchors for rural communities across the territory.
Questions Remain on Women’s Tennis and Pickleball Integration
While the department achieved record numbers in traditional membership and padel engagement, committee leaders confirmed that specific strategic targets from the regional convention remain unfulfilled. Four of the eight initial objectives are still pending development, specifically regarding the expansion of women’s tennis participation and the development of pickleball.
