At just 20 years old, Ethan Francisco has taken over the presidency of the badminton club in Nogent-le-Rotrou, Eure-et-Loir, stepping in to lead an association of more than 130 members following leadership changes at the end of last season.
Francisco first joined the club in 2022 after a friend invited him to play casually. His involvement expanded from recreational player to youth coach and eventually club president.
From Casual Player to Club President
The path to leadership began to take shape at the conclusion of the previous sports season when the club’s outgoing president and treasurer decided to step down. Francisco began considering a run for the top role.
Before making his decision, Francisco consulted Renaud Leroy who outlined the time commitment and administrative duties involved. “He told me that being president was a real commitment, with heavy responsibilities,” Francisco said. “I know it’s not for leaving after two months.”
After further discussions with his mother and the outgoing president, Francisco accepted the position. His appointment was acknowledged by Séverine Cornevin, president of the Eure-et-Loir badminton committee, who attended the club’s general assembly on Wednesday, October 7, to meet the new administrator and offer guidance.
Managing Administrative Duties and Growth
The role requires balancing paperwork, grant applications, and institutional representation alongside day-to-day club management. While Francisco acknowledges the heavy workload, he views his youth as an advantage rather than a hurdle, particularly when handling digital communication.
“Age is not a problem,” Francisco said. “If you are ambitious, with the desire to do great things, it’s not a brake.” Under his direction, the club has expanded its online presence by launching an official Instagram account to complement its existing Facebook page.
Beyond his administrative duties, Francisco remains active on the court. In September 2025, he completed training to become a session leader, allowing him to supervise recreational players and beginners. He also assists Leroy with the Saturday morning “mini-bad” training sessions for children aged 5 to 10.
Future Projects and Community Engagement
Looking ahead, Francisco has proposed organizing a “Blackminton” event—a session of badminton in the dark where the lines, net band, shuttlecock, and rackets are covered in fluorescent tape. Because of the costs involved, he anticipates running the event every two or three years.
The club operates out of Nogent-le-Rotrou, maintaining contact points through its telephone line at 06 64 35 27 48 and its social media pages under the name Badminton Club Nogentais.
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