Citizen budget: the Aude football district was able to finance thirty goalposts for youth football schools

Thirty football goal cages were handed over to forty-four football clubs on Wednesday, April 22, as part of the participatory budget of the department to the Aude football district.

The large football family in Aude gathered on Wednesday, April 22, at the Gaston-Defferre hall at the Aude department hotel. In the presence of several elected officials, the department organized the delivery of the project carried out by the Aude Football District Association, the winner of the 2025 citizen budget.

Second in the citizen budget, the district was able to fund fifty pairs of football goals for five-a-side football. This is for the forty-four clubs with a football school. “We have more than eighty clubs in the department but not all have the means to welcome children and train them,” said Pierre Micheau, President of the Aude Football District, who added that 11,000 people are licensed in the territory. “We lost some licenses this season with the suspension of the Pass’Sport. But it should come back next year. Plus, it’s a World Cup year, so it is likely that new children will sign up, especially if the Blues perform well or win,” he detailed.

Goal cages for children aged 5 to 9 years old

After being able to fund these football cages, quality equipment will be used for training sessions and matches. “These goals are mainly for the U7 and U9 sections,” said Pierre Micheau. In other words, for children aged 5 to 9 years old. “These pairs of cages will be used throughout the Aude department,” he affirmed.

During his speech, the district president reiterated that football also has “social virtues.” “It’s a powerful tool that brings territories and people closer together. And it allows everyone to have a chance. But without the Department, we wouldn’t have been able to fund these cages for children.”

On her part, the socialist vice-president of the Department, in charge of democracy and youth, Valérie Dumontet, recalled that the community “will continue to support sports and the district” before handing over the equipment to the different clubs with a football school.

It is worth noting that the district provided a fuel card worth €15 for each child to be able to travel in a context of rising prices.

As a reminder, this project is among the 38 winners of the 2025 citizen budget, projects of general interest conceived and chosen by the people of Aude and fully funded by the Department.