The Badminton associatif choletais (Bach) enters the new French elite season facing significant roster changes and a radical rules overhaul, according to local reports. Headed by president Jean-Claude Arnou, the club returns to the top tier of French club badminton with a heavily modified women’s squad while aiming primarily to build experience for younger players.
Roster Turnover and New Recruits for the Elite Return
Cholet heads into the top flight without several key figures from previous campaigns. Club captain Léa Palermo, who held the role since 2020, departed to join her partner in Issy-les-Moulineaux in the N1 division, according to local coverage. Additional departures saw Eulalie Serre sign with Caen in N1 and Héloïse Le Moulec move to Saint-Maur in the Top 12.
To fill the gaps, the Bach added Léonice Huet—previously with Chambly—who will alternate with Wei Xu in women’s singles. The club also recruited Manon Heitzmann, pairing her with her French youth teammate and U17 European champion partner, Mélia Beulé. Because Beulé is a member of the national Pôle France training center and competes internationally, the club anticipates occasional absences from the pair. As a luxury backup, Cholet brought in English doubles specialist Lizzie Tolman, ranked 49th globally in doubles. Meanwhile, the men’s roster remains intact with Arsène Serre, Jordan Corvée, Samy Corvée, Robinson Coube, and Valentin Singer all returning.
A Structural Overhaul of the Top 12 Format
The French elite competition introduces sweeping rule changes designed to quicken the pace and engage spectators. Organizers eliminated the second singles matches for both men and women, reducing each team encounter to six total matches: men’s and women’s doubles, mixed doubles 1 and 2, and single men’s and women’s singles encounters.
Scoring has also shifted from traditional 21-point games to 15-point sets. The altered format aims to shorten match durations and maintain spectator engagement through the end of fixtures while demanding immediate intensity from the first shuttle. According to club leadership, teams boasting elite-level stars hold an immediate advantage, and Cholet landed in a challenging group featuring French world champions Alex Lanier in Strasbourg, Delphine Delrue in Chambly, and Thom Gicquel in Flume.
Prioritizing Youth and Planning for League Expansion
Despite the competitive hurdles in a top-heavy pool, Cholet’s leadership adopted a developmental focus for the season. « Même si ce sera parfois difficile, nous allons prioriser nos jeunes pour leur offrir de l’expérience et les faire progresser, » president Jean-Claude Arnou stated, noting that the immediate objective centers on construction rather than chasing silverware.
The stakes for relegation are notably absent this term due to upcoming structural reforms. Next season will feature a split elite setup consisting of an Elite 1 division with six teams and an Elite 2 division with twelve teams, securing Cholet’s place in the upper tier regardless of this year’s final standings. Additionally, a scoring modification rewards teams for every individual match won during a fixture rather than just the overall team victory, a system the club believes suits its balanced roster.
Next Confirmed Checkpoint
The Bach opens its elite campaign away against Chambly on Saturday, September 19, marking the first test of the new 15-point format and the club’s revamped lineup.
