The Saint-Martin Archers Club 89 (SMAC) recently gathered its approximately thirty members in the multipurpose hall of Saint-Martin-du-Tertre for a festive meal. The gathering celebrated the club’s sporting results and featured traditional speeches on stage before a festive celebration.
International senior category 1 archer Justine Paquez described the organization as un club familial où la bonne humeur règne
. Meanwhile, club president since 2012 and French champion Cédric Bolloré highlighted regional and national podium finishes achieved by the archers.
Honoring Co-Founder James Gauthé
During the event, Cédric Bolloré delivered a tribute to James Gauthé, the club’s co-founder who passed away prematurely from an illness on January 28, 2023, at the age of 77. Gauthé was an emblematic figure in archery during the 1980s, having competed nationally in Île-de-France at Chaville and later with the Archers Sénons in Sens before launching the Saint-Martin-du-Tertre club following an open house at a sports festival.
Bolloré recalled Gauthé’s training style, stating, James nous forme avec exigence mais toujours dans la bienveillance, la bonne humeur. Grâce à toi nous attrapons rapidement le virus compétition
. He also noted Gauthé’s values of Humilité, fairplay et surtout une amitié à toute épreuve quoi qu’il arrive, la gentillesse incarnée pour tous ses licenciés
.
Memories of the Early Days
Co-founder Olivier Payen recalled being asked in 1996 to help create the club, leaving Sens to follow Jean-Michel Métier and James Gauthé. Payen remembered the memorable early days of SMAC under the courtyard of the Jules-Ferry school.
Jérémy Bridron, who joined the club at age eight and now lives and trains in Lyon while still representing SMAC in competitions, shared childhood memories of traveling across the Yonne, Burgundy, and France for qualifications, and described Gauthé as a mentor who passed on a love for teaching archery.
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