This Monday, Hervé Renard gave an update at a press conference in Clairefontaine on his first day at the head of the France team. Corinne Deacon’s successor has clarified several issues as the next World Cup approaches, including the return of Wendie Renard to the captaincy. The former coach of Saudi Arabia also spoke on the extra-sporting level, in particular on the accompaniment of the players mothers.
The Lyonnaise Amel Majri, who gave birth to a little Maryam last July, thus made her return with the Bleues in the company of her baby. “She has a 9-month-old daughter, it is difficult for a mother to leave her very young child at home, even if it is her job,” commented Hervé Renard during the press conference.
The new coach insisted on the need for a structure for this purpose: “Today, in the biggest world selections such as that of the United States, there are many things organized for children. France is a little behind. We must take this step. We have to get there to be a specialized structure for that, so with a nanny, with a space for the children to have fun, to play with each other. I don’t think it interferes with any functioning whatsoever in a group, and psychologically it is of paramount importance. The door has just been opened thanks to the FFF (…) Maybe one day we will find ourselves with four, five toddlers with us, if it is well organized, that is not a problem”.
A statement that immediately resonated with a young mother who experienced the same situation as the OL player. In mid-February, judoka Clarisse Agbegnenou returned to the tatami mats and the competition in the company of little Athena, eight months old. “Dear Hervé Renard, I wanted to express my warm thanks to you for speaking out about high-level athlete mothers. You have no idea of the importance of the stone to the building that you have just brought in this fight which is dear to me, ”wrote the double Olympic champion.