Orange, France – The badminton club orangeois recently hosted a successful stage of the Trophée départemental jeunes (TDJ) tournament at the Maurice Trintignant gymnasium on Saturday, March 14th. The event drew 101 young athletes, ranging in age from 7 to 18, representing badminton clubs throughout the Vaucluse region. Competition was spirited, but played with good sportsmanship, according to organizers.
Marie-France Pesta, a judge-arbitre from Vaucluse, officiated the tournament. Among the competitors was seven-year-classic Nathanaël Mourmes, the youngest participant, who plays for the Volant des 7 rivières club in Bédarrides. Mourmes discovered his passion for badminton during a trial session and quickly became licensed to compete. While he didn’t secure a medal at this event, he’s already looking ahead to the seventh and final stage of the circuit, scheduled for April 12th in Morières-lès-Avignon.
Tournament Results
The competition saw several young athletes achieve victory in their respective categories. Lizzie Pauze of the Badminton Club Orangeois (BCO) took first place in the SD cadet top B category. Baptiste Devaux and Alexis Allio, representing Apt, won the SI poussin and benjamin top A categories. Paul Testud and Jules Recordier, competing for Pernes-les-Fontaines, secured the top spot in the SI benjamin top B and SI minime top A categories, respectively.
Carpentras and Bédarrides similarly enjoyed success, with Nahel Khadfi Changeux and Alva Saissi winning in the SI minime top B and SD cadet top A categories. Florian Poujoul and Mathieur Grabie-Deydier from the same clubs claimed victory in the SI cadet top A and B categories. Representing Avignon, Eva Souchon won the SD minime category.
Alongside the youth tournament, the club also hosted the Tournoi départemental senior (DDS) on the same day. Lucie Delage, the event organizer, noted that participation in the senior tournament was slightly lower than in previous years due to coinciding municipal elections, but still welcomed 70 players from Vaucluse and neighboring departments.
The Trophée départemental jeunes serves as a crucial development platform for aspiring badminton players in the Vaucluse region. The tournament not only provides competitive opportunities but also fosters a love for the sport among young athletes. The emphasis on fun and development, as highlighted by organizers, mirrors a growing trend in youth sports, prioritizing skill-building and sportsmanship alongside competitive results.
The success of this event underscores the growing popularity of badminton in the region and the dedication of clubs like the Badminton Club Orangeois in nurturing the next generation of players. The final stage of the TDJ circuit in Morières-lès-Avignon promises to be another exciting showcase of young talent.
The next confirmed checkpoint for these young athletes is the final stage of the Trophée départemental jeunes circuit on Sunday, April 12th, in Morières-lès-Avignon. Fans and families can follow updates and results from the Vaucluse badminton clubs through their respective websites and social media channels.
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