2023-08-05 00:02:46
“PetrusFlo selection”. In this month of July, the followers and supporters of FC Rouen (National) or Caen (L2) were certainly intrigued by the identity of their team’s opponent in a friendly match. “Like the UNFP, we are there to give opportunities to players without a club or in difficulty in the Paris region”, explains Florian Petrus, 26, founder of this association.
Four times a week, they are a hundred to train at the Bernard Lama stadium in Villetaneuse (Seine-Saint-Denis), from the youngest to the seniors, soon passing through the women. “To make our teams for the matches, we select the most diligent, continues Florian Petrus. These matches allow them to get noticed and can lead to trials or contracts. »
The association solicited by professional teams
“The fact of now being solicited by professional teams like Caen shows that we have become more and more credible. When you face Alexandre Mendy, 19 goals in L2 last season, or when you chat for 15 minutes with Jean-Marc Furlan who congratulates you on your project and tells you that it is incredible, it gives you strength. »
Florian Petrus with Jean-Marc Furlan, coach of Caen (L2) during the friendly match between the two teams on July 11 in Deauville. DR
It all started in the spring of 2020 during confinement for the former player of UJA-Maccabi, Chambly, Avranches or Hyères who lives in the downtown district of Villetaneuse. “We are a whole generation to have been cut off by the Covid, many have stopped playing, he regrets. I was going to train with my equipment. The little ones from the neighborhood started coming with me, and I organized sessions with more and more people. I understood that I could help others. It gives me pride and as much pleasure, if not more, than when I was playing. »
“Since he was little, he has had this ability to reach out to others. This project, he has had it in mind since 6th grade, he was already helping the little ones, ”slips Marie Gomez, his mother, a school teacher.
His association also wants to play a social role with young people, some of whom are failing at school or experiencing family difficulties. “We are not going to hide it, we are in a region where many are undisciplined. We are also there to teach them certain rules for living together and define a framework such as punctuality or the duty to put away equipment. Everything starts from these bases,” says Florian, who remembers some great stories.
More than 55 players have signed with a club
Like that of Calix, 19 years old. “He had failed his baccalaureate, his parents wanted to kick him out, but he stood out and signed in Riom in R1 where he had an apartment, he specifies. He changed setting, region and it did him good. Our niche is players who don’t have clubs or who are abandoned in teams of 2 or 3 in their club. »
By word of mouth, players from all over Île-de-France, even Seine-et-Marne or Yvelines, come to try their luck in Villetaneuse. And even from abroad… “A few months ago we welcomed a Ukrainian refugee. He contacted us on Instagram. We managed his arrival from Ukraine by paying for his train tickets, then we hosted and fed him. It did him good to be able to play with us. We played our role and then social services took over. »
“We give them a second chance”
In recent days, Kurtys Foungala has signed at Raon-l’Étape (N3) and Emric Amayota at Ergue-Gaberic (N3). Against Rouen, promoted to National, it was a 15-year-old, Dylan Brival, who scored the goal. “Since the beginning, we have signed more than 55 players, assures Florian. We have also sent some for trials in Romania or in training centres. We are giving them a bit of a second chance. I failed to go where I wanted as a player, I want to allow others to get there. »
The “PetrusFlo” selection team. DR
For the operation, however, it is the D system. The association – Florian Petrus is supported by Angie Fouquoire (deputy and nutritionist), Pape Kane (deputy) and Maïna Joas (secretary) – does not receive a subsidy and does not have for the moment only one partner, Leon’s, for the equipment. To earn a living, its founder is a supervisor in a college and will this season coach the seniors of Champagne-sur-Oise (D1 Oise).
“We have to manage but we manage to be well structured,” he says. We manage to travel, as in the Czech Republic and everywhere throughout France. If we ask a small participation to the players, it is to pay the insurances. We are not here to make money and do business. Our approach is quite the opposite. »
Despite everything, he recognizes “arousing jealousy”: “We were put in the way, like the fact of closing the field one day when I had brought in twelve recruiters… I am also accused of using my name to call my selection. But I don’t want my project stolen. We don’t get support so we weren’t going to bear the name of a city… In any case, when you look at how far we’ve come, all those we’ve helped over the past three years, we can just be proud of ourselves. That is the most important. »
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