In the morning of Tuesday, April 7th in Alès, at the Raphaël-Pujazon stadium, sport and integration were in the spotlight. Jointly organized by the sports department and the integration department of the Gard County Council, the “Sport and Health: keys to integration” operation targeted employees from integration job sites in the Alès area. The goal was clear: to use sports as a lever to boost confidence, energy, and motivation in individuals who are sometimes distant from employment. Carole Perrin, the sports department manager at the county council, explained, “Offering fun activities where they will enjoy themselves is essential. The idea is to remove barriers related to sports.”
More than just physical activity, the morning aimed to trigger a positive dynamic both physically and mentally. For the participants, getting moving again was a first victory. Physical activity acted as a catalyst. Perrin continued, “It brings energy and well-being to the mind. It motivates them and can break down certain health-related barriers.” It also provided the necessary energy for participants to consider training or returning to work.
Following the success of last year’s edition in Nîmes, this new gathering aimed to sustain the initiative. Approximately 140 participants attended, demonstrating the interest generated. Teams visited job sites beforehand to present the project and engage employees.
“We aim to create connections and promote social cohesion,” emphasized Perrin. The morning started with a collective warm-up that helped participants overcome their apprehensions. They were then divided into small groups, purposely mixed to encourage exchanges between different organizations. Gender diversity, sharing, and team spirit were at the core of the activities. The program included ten 12-minute workshops between 9:30 am and 12:15 pm, featuring various unconventional sports like table tennis, boccia, cécifoot, and flag rugby. The focus was on discovery and enjoyment rather than performance or competition.
Local sports clubs played a crucial role as workshop leaders. Yves Albaladejo from the Alès AC2A athletics club led a vortex throwing activity. “It’s fun and accessible. We also use it with children,” he explained. Two coaches were present to support participants. In addition to entertainment, these encounters allowed clubs to identify potential talents and inspire vocations. A health workshop complemented the sports activities, addressing themes like sedentary lifestyle and diseases, highlighting the role of sports in prevention.
Participants embraced the activities on the field. Laura Benoît from the FAIRE association, focused on training and reintegration support, praised the initiative. “It’s a good concept. We meet people, we’re outdoors, it benefits everyone,” she shared enthusiastically. She appreciated the dynamic activities like rugby and valued the opportunity to connect with others. This sentiment was echoed by Saâd Nechadi, a technical, educational, and social supervisor at FAIRE, who actively participated in the workshops. “I am engaged in the activities just like them,” he remarked. He noticed the participants’ dedication and remarked, “They put their hearts into it. They really put in the effort!” He emphasized that sports engage both the body and mind while introducing a healthy dose of competition.
