Save Water Polo Team
- REIMS, france (AP) — A month after professional water polo players with Stade de Reims Natation voiced concerns about the potential disbandment of their team due to financial...
- The water polo team is actively resisting what they see as an impending collapse.
- Initially, dissolving the professional water polo team seemed to be the only viable solution, which meant releasing all players.
Reims Water Polo Team Fights for Survival Amid Financial Woes
Table of Contents
- Reims Water Polo Team Fights for Survival Amid Financial Woes
- Team Faces Financial Hardship
- A Century-Long Legacy at Stake
- Fundraising Efforts Underway
- Reims Water Polo team: Facing Financial Crisis & Fighting for Survival
- 1. What is happening with the Reims water polo team?
- 2.Why is the Reims water polo team in financial trouble?
- 3. How did the players respond to the financial crisis?
- 4. What is the history of water polo in Reims?
- 5. Who are the key players involved in the effort to save the team?
- 6. What are Nicolas Missy’s and Julien Offner’s roles in the fundraising campaign?
- 7. What is the goal of the fundraising campaign?
- 8. How much money does the team need to survive?
- 9. How is the team planning to manage the funds raised?
- 10.What is the role of the new club president, Adrien Vecten?
- 11. What challenges does the team face beyond the financial issues?
- 12.Where can people donate to support the Reims water polo team?
- 13. What is the long-term vision for the Reims water polo team?
- 14. What is the impact of receivership on the team?
- 15. What is the significance of the team’s last game?
- 16. Key Achievements and Challenges: A Summary Table
REIMS, france (AP) — A month after professional water polo players with Stade de Reims Natation voiced concerns about the potential disbandment of their team due to financial instability, they have formed an autonomous association to save professional water polo in Reims.
Team Faces Financial Hardship
The water polo team is actively resisting what they see as an impending collapse. In mid-March, players publicly expressed their concerns about a perceived lack of respect for their commitment to the sport’s highest level in france, citing reductions in municipal and departmental subsidies that have placed Stade de Reims Natation on the brink of financial receivership.
Initially, dissolving the professional water polo team seemed to be the only viable solution, which meant releasing all players. However, the team’s resolve was strengthened during their last home game. According to team captain Nicolas Missy and goalkeeper Julien Offner,the outpouring of support from spectators,including emotional displays,motivated them to fight for their team’s survival. “We told ourselves that we had to give ourselves the means to believe it. Together we are capable,” they stated.
A Century-Long Legacy at Stake
Water polo in Reims boasts a history spanning over a century. Originating as a recreational sport, it ascended to elite status in the late 1980s and early 1990s, initially under the banner of Reims Swimming 89 and later as Stade de Reims natation following a merger. Despite reaching the highest French level in 2014, the team agreed to compete in National 1 after the demolition of the olympic swimming pool, which left them without an approved venue for matches.
For four seasons, the players and coaching staff maintained their commitment, consistently winning the French championship in their division. In 2018,coinciding with the construction of a new Olympic swimming pool,the team returned to the elite level but temporarily relocated to Châlons-en-Champagne during the construction period.
The team has as faced financial challenges and struggled to attract consistent audiences. Despite playing home matches at the UCPA, a new 50-meter pool, the team has struggled to secure adequate training slots, frequently enough resorting to the smaller 25-meter Thiolettes swimming pool. The announcement that the team might be dissolved due to financial constraints was perceived as an unacceptable sacrifice.
The professional water polo team comprises 14 players, eight of whom are under professional contracts. Many players balance their athletic commitments with additional work. Some volunteer within the club, coaching younger players and managing aquagym and health sports programs. Coach Sacha Krivokapic, who joined the club in 2008 as a player and became the professional section’s coach in 2020, exemplifies the team’s dedication, with 17 years at the club and 263 games played.
We took matters into hand, we created another structure. It must be used to finance the elite team but also the training of the youngest.
Nicolas Missy and julien Offner, players of the professional water-polo team from Reims
Missy and Offner noted that Krivokapic has regained his composure, and the entire team remains focused and motivated to finish the season strongly. The team’s last game of the season is scheduled for April 19 against Taverny SN 95. A victory or a draw would secure their qualification for the European Cup. Or else, they must rely on Nice losing against strasbourg.
The donation campaign is open. If we arrive between 80,000 and 100,000 euros, we will hold the teeth, but the season of the professional team is ensured.
Nicolas Missy and Julien Offner, players of the professional water-polo team from Reims
Fundraising Efforts Underway
The team faces an even greater challenge: securing the team’s long-term future. With the club in receivership since April 15, players have established a separate association to manage funds directly for the water polo section. According to Missy and Offner, this approach, developed in collaboration with the new club president, Adrien Vecten, ensures that funds raised will support both the elite team and youth training programs.
Vecten stated that an agreement with the new association is being finalized. He hopes to allocate a budget between 325,000 and 350,000 euros to the water polo section. While receivership could impact these projections, Vecten assured that player salaries would be covered by insurance, and a recovery plan is being implemented.
The newly formed association, Save Reims Water-Polo, has launched an online fundraising campaign. The immediate goal is to supplement the club’s budget by 150,000 euros to ensure a smooth season. Offner emphasized the urgency, stating that raising between 80,000 and 100,000 euros would stabilize the team, while exceeding that amount would enable them to compete in the European Cup.
the players are relying on community support and seeking private sponsors.With a deadline at the end of May to commit to the French Federation, the team is racing against time to secure its future.
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Reims Water Polo team: Facing Financial Crisis & Fighting for Survival
This article delves into the struggles of the Stade de Reims Natation water polo team, exploring their financial difficulties, the community’s response, and their fight to maintain their legacy.
1. What is happening with the Reims water polo team?
the professional water polo team of Stade de Reims Natation in France is facing significant financial challenges. The team is on the brink of collapse due to a lack of funding from municipal and departmental subsidies. This has prompted the team’s players to take action to save their club. Players have formed an autonomous association to directly manage funds and launch a fundraising campaign.
2.Why is the Reims water polo team in financial trouble?
The team’s financial hardship is primarily due to reduced subsidies from the local government. This has put the club in a precarious position, pushing them towards financial receivership.
3. How did the players respond to the financial crisis?
Rather of accepting disbandment, the players, motivated by community support, took matters into their own hands. They formed a separate association to manage funds and launched a fundraising campaign to save the club and preserve its future.
4. What is the history of water polo in Reims?
Water polo in Reims has a rich history spanning over a century. It evolved from a recreational sport to an elite level in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The team competed at the highest French levels, even after the demolition of their original competition venue. Despite facing challenges, the team persevered and even played at the elite level.
5. Who are the key players involved in the effort to save the team?
The leaders in the fight to save the team are:
Nicolas Missy: Team Captain
Julien Offner: Goalkeeper
Adrien Vecten: New Club President
sacha Krivokapic: Coach
6. What are Nicolas Missy’s and Julien Offner’s roles in the fundraising campaign?
Missy and Offner are central in the fundraising efforts. They are actively communicating with the public and expressing their determination to keep the team alive, emphasizing the importance of community support and the goal of supporting both the elite team and youth training programs.
7. What is the goal of the fundraising campaign?
The immediate goal is to raise €150,000 to supplement the club’s budget and ensure the current season’s completion.Ultimately, exceeding the €150,000 goal would enable the team to compete in the European Cup.
8. How much money does the team need to survive?
To ensure the season: Raising between €80,000 and €100,000 would stabilize the team.
To allow them to compete in the European Cup: Exceeding €100,000 would enable them to compete.
* Allocation of the budget by Vecten : between 325,000 and 350,000 euros to the water polo section
9. How is the team planning to manage the funds raised?
A separate association,”Save Reims Water-Polo,” has been formed to directly manage the funds. This will ensure that the money raised supports both the professional team and youth training programs.
10.What is the role of the new club president, Adrien Vecten?
Adrien Vecten is working to finalize an agreement with the new association. He aims to allocate a substantial budget to the water polo section, covering player salaries (which will be covered by insurance) and implementing a recovery plan.
11. What challenges does the team face beyond the financial issues?
The team is also dealing with a tight timeline; they have a deadline at the end of May to commit to the French Federation.
12.Where can people donate to support the Reims water polo team?
people can donate to the “save Reims Water-Polo” online fundraising campaign via their HelloAsso page: https://www.helloasso.com/associations/sauvons-reims-waterpolo/collectes/sauvons-le-waterpolo-remois
13. What is the long-term vision for the Reims water polo team?
the long-term vision involves securing the team’s future. The formation of a separate association to manage funds and the ongoing fundraising campaign are essential steps toward ensuring the sustainability of both the elite team and youth training initiatives.
14. What is the impact of receivership on the team?
Receivership could impact the financial projections for the team. Though, Vecten has assured that player salaries will be covered by insurance, and a recovery plan is being implemented to mitigate the negative impacts of receivership.
15. What is the significance of the team’s last game?
The team’s last game of the season, scheduled for April 19 against Taverny SN 95, is vital. A win or a draw would secure their qualification for the European Cup. or else, they must rely on Nice losing against Strasbourg.
16. Key Achievements and Challenges: A Summary Table
| Aspect | Description |
| ———————– | —————————————————————————————————————- |
| History | Over a century of water polo in reims, reaching elite status in the late 80s/90s. |
| Current Problem | Financial struggles, reduced subsidies, and potential disbandment. |
| Response | Players formed a separate association, launched a fundraising campaign, and seek community support. |
| Financial Goals | Raise €150,000 to ensure the season; additional funds for European Cup. |
| Key Individuals | Nicolas Missy, Julien Offner, Adrien Vecten (President), Sacha Krivokapic (Coach). |
| Challenges | Financial instability,tight deadlines (end of may for commitment to the French Federation), receivership impacts |
| Long-Term Vision | Securing the team’s future,supporting elite team and youth training through fundraising and a dedicated association.|
| Donation link | https://www.helloasso.com/associations/sauvons-reims-waterpolo/collectes/sauvons-le-waterpolo-remois |