In charge of OGC Nice Pre-Academy, Fabrice Garrigues discusses Le Gym's project and details the latest developments that have been brought to life this season. Among which features the exchanges established with several clubs, which have allowed the young Rouge et Noir to come up against PSG and Juventus.

Fabrice, the Pre-Academy project in Nice has evolved in recent months. What has happened?
We decided to work on what I call a differentiated methodology. That consists of defining our objectives at every stage of learning for each player, adapting our approach to his needs and the category that he plays in. Our goal is to find a balance between working as a group and as an individual. We therefore put in place a training model, using micro-cycles and basing this on our sporting principles that we then adapt to the individual. This technical, tactical, physical and mental individualisation is at the heart of our project. For example, we work on technique in various different forms (analytical, through the Coerver method which is the repetition of technical skills, or even technique linked to the way the youngsters take on information). The objective is always to put the youngsters at the heart of the project, which at the end of the day, is their project. We are here to guide them with their parents. And I want to thank them for understanding that learning is a priority in the development of their children. Above and beyond football, the focus in on the personal skills. The Club has invested a lot in the schooling arm of the project. During the break, the youngsters will also get involved in other sports like swimming, relaxation and athletics. The matches and training sessions are also filmed, we have put in place shuttle buses for the wellbeing of the children. We also have support lessons and specialised pastoral care for the youngsters.

What have you made of the first months of this season?
First of all, I would like to congratulate all of the coaches and the players for their efforts and the progress made since we returned in August. The new project reinforces the links between the football schools, the Pre-Academy and the Academy. In concrete terms, that often means that 13 year olds will start for the U14s. The idea is not to keep our best players back in order to win trophies.

How will you evaluate the success of the new project, beyond pure sporting results?
The measure of success isn't based on titles or cup victories, but in the first instance, by the number of players able to make it into the Academy within our elite squads. Then, in the longer term, there is the first team.

What is the Pre-Academy's approach towards competitions?
On that particular aspect, we have an approach that differs from other clubs, In the Pre-Academy, we focus our work on "challenges". Studies have shown that the players who reach a good level are those that are capable of rising to a challenge. That's why we place less importance on competitions and the league. I set out certain challenges to meet. Despite that, I can suggest that our teams look to score lots of goals and concede few. That brings hard work and the respect of our principles to the forefront of our approach.

Recently, the young Aiglons came up against PSG and Juventus…
These trips have been huge successes. Above and beyond the pleasure taken from the trip - which is a key element of our work - it is very interesting to come up against other professional clubs. We brought this in, in order to evaluate the development of our teams and our players against quality opposition, who at times have projects that differ from the one we have put in place. We can see through these matches that the rhythm and intensity are greater. The youngsters are also confronted with other problems in their play which allow us to get them to work on other aspects of their game. But we never forget the notion of having fun. We would like to thank the Club for encouraging us to organise these kind of trips.

Are other trips like these ones planned for the near future?
We have others scheduled against clubs from the region, but we will also continue to play against youth teams from other Ligue 1 sides. We have just organised another two trips to face big European clubs. But I won't reveal who so that we can keep the surprise for the kids...

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Michel Saad