The Badminton pays de Ploërmel (BPP) club in Morbihan has reached a milestone in its operational growth by hiring its first salaried employee. The organization, which has expanded steadily since its founding in the 1980s, now supports a membership base of over 200 players, Actu reported.
Strategic hiring for club development
Jean-Noël Vulcain has joined the club as a salaried staff member to provide what club leadership describes as increased structural stability. Gilles Renault, who has served as president of the BPP for more than 20 years, emphasized that the decision to hire was driven by a need to keep the organization moving forward. “When you stop moving, you fall behind,” Renault said. “A structured club allows us to reach players who want to join us for the project.”
Division of responsibilities
The club’s management team is divided to cover both administrative and athletic operations. Renault oversees external relations and documentation, while Yoanne Manceny manages the sporting side of the organization, including the coordination of 13 adult interclub teams. Manceny also provides support for the club’s adaptive sports programming, which is led by Chloé Pignon.
Expansion of regional access
To accommodate its growing membership, the BPP maintains court time across multiple locations, including Ploërmel, Mauron, and Taupont. According to Renault, the goal is to provide a consistent playing schedule that allows members to access facilities throughout the week in different parts of the territory.
New initiatives for women and adaptive sports
The club is currently focusing on two specific growth areas: increasing female participation and expanding its adaptive sports section. For the women’s program, the leadership plans to formalize a leisure section, aiming to replicate the success of their “Ramène ta pote” (Bring Your Friend) nights throughout the entire season. Meanwhile, the adaptive sports program has seen significant growth, expanding from four or five participants in its first year to more than 20 currently. The club is now working with the regional league and national federation to organize a dedicated gathering for adaptive sport athletes.
Future competitive goals
The BPP is not resting on its current membership numbers. The leadership team has set a long-term goal for the club to return to the R2 competitive level. This objective is tied to the ongoing structural improvements and the expansion of training opportunities for the club’s youth and adult members.
Worth a look
