For over 25 years, Bernard Alleman has led the CFA Futurosud-FEA. Now president of its board, he continues to closely observe the developments of a sector he knows intimately.
And his assessment is like the sports professions themselves: stimulating, dynamic, but fraught with uncertainties.
Based in Marseille, the structure supports around 1,600 apprentices each year, with the help of 22 employees and 89 external collaborators. “Our core activity remains sports management professions, with a majority leading to roles as educators,” the leader specifies.
Results look strong on paper, with a 77% success rate in diplomas and 72% job placement. But behind these indicators, the sector faces on-the-ground realities that are sometimes less clear than they seem.
JO 2024: a real effect, but not yet massive
Has Paris 2024 changed things? Yes, says Bernard Alleman, but not triumphantly. “Quantitatively, it’s not huge,” he warns.
Observing concrete signals nonetheless: “Table tennis, carried by the popularity of the Lebrun brothers, has generated strong interest. The same goes for judo, boosted by the visibility of Teddy Riner.”
The specialist also acknowledges the training effect: “The impact of the Games could be mostly felt in the next two to three years.”
E-sports, an ambition embraced but a field that is not taking off
It is on this front that Bernard Alleman shows the most determination. As president of the National Federation of CFA Sports Animation Tourism (FNCFASAT), advocating for structuring e-sports for several years.
A discipline increasingly popular in France with over 12 million participants/consumers and an estimated turnover of 141 million euros in 2023. “The subject, to his eyes, goes beyond video games: ‘This discipline needs structure. In people’s minds, video games are harmful, kids play for hours and hours a day, argue with their parents… We need to educate and supervise the practice, which is perceived as wild today.'”
In line with this, efforts have been made with France Esports to establish a dedicated training for players and industry professionals. In 2021, the state validated the “e-sports animator” diploma as a professional qualification. While the framework is in place on paper, the momentum remains low.
“Unfortunately, it did not take off,” laments Bernard Alleman. To date, only twelve training programs have been opened in France, none in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. “It’s a shame,” he says, while not giving up on this project, even if resources for the sector’s development may need to be reduced.
CFAs, a “terribly uncertain” model
Ultimately, perhaps here lies the real issue. More than the Olympics, even more than e-sports, the president worries about the economic future of sports professions, calling the outlook “terribly uncertain.”
“Subsidies are getting lower. The economic and political context has never been as fragile,” he alerts. The professional also fears “the emergence of major groups,” which could potentially reshape the landscape to the detriment of public structures deeply rooted in the territories.
Adding to this concern is another, quieter one: the aging of the workforce. “We are seeing fewer and fewer young people entering the field, they are getting older… and I am part of that!” he laughs.
“Sports professions? Honestly, you should go for it”
Bernard Alleman, however, has not lost his faith in sports professions. To the young people hesitating to pursue them, he sends a straightforward message: “Honestly, you should go for it.”
He adds: “I’m not saying this because I am in this network. The sports economy is a pillar of our economy. But besides that, there is a social aspect, you meet so many people, it’s stimulating.”
