The Martigues Volley-Ball had a double success this Saturday at the Julien Olive gymnasium. By defeating Rennes (3-0), Christophe Charroux’s men reclaimed their top spot in Ligue B. This impressive performance caught the attention of Jean Azema, the president of the National Volley League (LNV), who came to assess if the Martigues club is truly ready for promotion to Ligue A (Marmara SpikeLigue).
The atmosphere was festive on Saturday night at Julien Olive. On the court, the performance was almost perfect: a clear victory against Rennes. This success allows Martigues to take back the top spot in the championship, with a slight lead over Royan. However, beyond the scoreboard, the stakes exceeded expectations.
Jean Azema (LNV): “Just the sports result is not enough”
The president of the LNV, Jean Azema, continues his tour of ambitious clubs in France. His visit to Martigues was deliberate. “Martigues is currently at the top of the table, but it is not alone, there is also Royan, Cambrai, or Saint-Quentin,” he explained. “I wanted to see the facilities and the club’s intentions.”
While praising the quality of the facilities and lighting, the League president also highlighted the steps to be taken to progress to the elite MSL: “The public capacity is currently insufficient. I discussed with the sports director the planned improvements for the locker rooms and gym. Moving from Ligue B to MSL is a significant leap. It’s not just about the sports result, internal structuring is also necessary: human resources, managers, communication officers.”
Jean Azema is clear: a club must meet standards before moving up. “Otherwise, once registered, it can take years and create a distortion with clubs that have made the effort.”
Jean-Christophe CapGras: “The project is starting to mature”
Faced with these requirements, the president of Martigues Volley, Jean-Christophe CapGras, remains confidently calm. Discussions with the League and the municipality are well underway. “We discussed the capacity of the hall, the reception of partners, and the club’s structuring to avoid embarrassment in case of promotion,” he said.
The issue of the “Club License,” a real administrative ordeal, is at the heart of concerns. “We have already taken many steps with the town hall. It is a project that is starting to mature with investments in modernization and organization of the hall,” said the Martigues president.
While there is still “concern about the field” to win matches and stay ahead, Jean-Christophe CapGras is reassured by this visit: “Based on our discussions, I have fewer concerns. Things are moving in the right direction.”
The race for the title continues
With the leader’s seat regained, Martigues has sent a strong message to the competition. But the road to MSL is still long and filled with administrative and structural criteria. One thing is certain: Martigues Volley no longer just wants to win on the court, it wants to prove that it belongs among the greats.
