The badminton club in Livinhac-le-Haut has expanded its membership from 24 to 73 players over a three-year span, driven by a rapprochement with the Cransac club in June 2026 that opened pathways into competition. While the organization spent decades prioritizing leisure and games between friends, the recent governance under copresidents Xavier Gerling and Lyonell Spaletta has balanced tournament ambitions with inclusive community access.
Cransac-Livinhac Ban Shifts Toward Official Competition
The rapprochement finalized in June 2026 bridged the Livinhac association with its counterpart in Cransac, forming an integrated sporting entity across the local sector. This organizational alignment facilitated the club’s transition into official competition after years centered on leisure play. To accommodate varying player goals, the club introduced a competition licence category that carries no mandatory obligation to enter tournaments. This evolution provides dedicated training slots for adults while establishing a unified presence across both municipalities under the Cransac-Livinhac banner.
Youth Development Through the New Bad School
For the current season, the organization launched its youth training structure, known locally as the school of badminton, targeting children between the ages of 7 and 15. The youth program enrolled 25 participants in its opening term, focusing on fundamental techniques, court movement, strategy, and collective team dynamics. This initiative marks a sector first for youth-focused badminton coaching in the area. Membership fees are structured at 80 euros for juniors up to age 18, while adult memberships are set at 110 euros.
Inclusive Community Access Across Generations
Despite the push into competitive brackets, club leadership emphasizes a hybrid environment where novices and experienced competitors share the same gymnasium courts. Copresidents Xavier Gerling and Lyonell Spaletta stated that the core philosophy remains centered on mixing skill levels, encouraging mutual progress, and maintaining a welcoming social atmosphere. The roster currently spans from young children to participants aged 80, welcoming all skill levels without restriction. Prospective members are permitted several trial sessions before committing to a paid licence.
Club Partners with Livinhac-Le-Haut for Street Theater
Beyond standard training sessions at the local gymnasium, the club has integrated itself into municipal cultural programming. A collaborative public event was held on July 9, 2026, where the badminton association partnered with the commune of Livinhac-le-Haut to host an outdoor street theater performance of La Jurassienne de Réparation by Théâtre Group’ on the gymnasium parking grounds. Club organizers maintain multiple communication channels, including official community pages managed by Xavier Gerling at 06 66 27 86 60 and Lyonell Spaletta at 06 29 64 75 33, alongside digital updates hosted on their official social media profile.
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