“À la fin de cette saison, ou d’ici deux ans, j’espère intégrer cette structure,” 18-year-old French badminton player Lily Gautier told Ouest-France, expressing her ambition to join France’s premier national sports institute, the INSEP. Gautier, who has progressed through the nation’s federal training structures, is currently training at the Pôle France in Strasbourg and is targeting a move to the Paris-based academy, which she described as the “Mecque” of badminton in France.
Gautier’s journey in high-performance badminton began at a young age, with the player from Trégomeur in the Côtes-d’Armor region spending her formative years in dedicated federal programs. Ouest-France reported that she joined the pôle espoirs (center of hopes) in Dinard during her third year of secondary school. She remained there until completing her first year of high school, a period she recalls fondedly for its “superbe cadre de vie,” or superb living environment.
Two years ago, Gautier made the significant move to the Pôle France in Strasbourg, a step up in France’s badminton development pathway. In Alsace, she has accelerated her academic schedule, completing her high school diploma (baccalauréat) in two years instead of three to free up more time for training. This year, she has embarked on a STAPS (Sciences and Techniques of Physical and Sports Activities) degree, again compressing her first year into two to maintain a demanding schedule that sees her on the court for more than 20 hours per week.
A Life of Intensive Training and Academic Balance
This existence is a delicate balance between elite sport and higher education, a reality Gautier has embraced. “Cette existence soutenue, qui ne laisse que peu de temps aux loisirs, convient à la joueuse de 18 ans,” the outlet noted, describing the sustained lifestyle as one that leaves little time for leisure but suits the young athlete. Gautier herself commented on the arrangement, saying “C’est cool, même s’il y a des inconvénients, car je rentre très rarement chez moi.”
Despite the physical and time demands, Gautier highlighted a key advantage of the Strasbourg center: its unique integration of sports and academics. “Malgré l’entraînement très intensif, tout est bien aménagé pour les études supérieures, un des rares centres dans le pays où c’est possible,” she stated, noting that the center is one of the few in France that successfully accommodates advanced studies alongside a high-performance training regimen.
Specializing in Doubles to Find Her Niche
A crucial development in Gautier’s career has been her specialization in doubles. Since transitioning from Dinard to Strasbourg, she has focused her efforts on the doubles discipline. Her preference for the format was already forming during her time in Brittany. “En Bretagne, j’avais déjà commencé à m’y mettre, c’est ce que je préférais, le choix me semblait évident,” she explained.
Gautier finds a unique satisfaction in the collaborative nature of doubles. “Dans mon quotidien, c’est un plaisir d’aller à la salle. Je ne suis pas certaine qu’en simple ça aurait été le cas. Le fait de coopérer avec un partenaire me plaît, c’est intéressant de mettre en place des choses à deux,” she said, suggesting that the partnership and strategy involved in doubles are more aligned with her enjoyment of the sport than the individual focus of singles.
On the court, Gautier has found a stable partnership. After playing alongside Agathe Cuevas for a time, she has become accustomed to competing with Manon Heitzmann. This partnership has allowed her to settle into a specific role within the team structure. “Je suis plus à l’aise au fond du court plutôt qu’au filet,” Gautier said, identifying her comfort zone on the court as the backcourt, a common specialization in doubles play.
Progress and the Path to INSEP
The move to Strasbourg has yielded tangible results for Gautier. “Depuis que je suis en Alsace, j’ai beaucoup progressé, mon niveau est supérieur, je fais plus de 20 h par semaine,” she stated, emphasizing the significant improvement in her game. The intensive training schedule, exceeding 20 hours of practice weekly, is the engine behind her development as she prepares for the next stage of her career.
That next stage is her ultimate goal: the INSEP. As she begins her third year in the east of France, Gautier is focused on crossing the final hurdle into the national training center. “Alors qu’elle entame sa troisième année dans l’est de la France, elle aimerait bien franchir la dernière étape, celle qui mène vers la « Mecque » du bad en France, l’INSEP,” Ouest-France reported.
While Gautier is optimistic, she recognizes the high level of competition required for an INSEP placement, especially in doubles. “Je pense que c’est plus facile en double qu’en simple, même si l’exigence monte encore d’un cran,” she said, acknowledging that while the doubles path may be slightly more accessible, the bar is set exceptionally high for all athletes aiming for the prestigious institute. “Pour tout sportif de haut niveau, c’est un objectif réel,” she concluded, framing the INSEP as a realistic and significant target for any elite French athlete.
What’s Next for Gautier
With the current season underway, Gautier’s immediate focus is on continued performance on the court. Her stated timeline for a potential move to the INSEP is either at the end of this season or within the next two years, a deadline that will be determined by her competitive results and development. Her progression will be closely watched as she aims to secure a place at the pinnacle of French badminton development.
Related reading
