A professional player at Soyaux-Angoulême in Pro D2, Yassin Boutemmani has had a second hat to wear for a few months now. The Algerian prop has decided to become president of AS Soyaux. In trouble and close to going under last season, the football club was saved by the former Toulouse, UBB, Dax, Perpignan and Montauban player.
Deeply attached to his roots, the rugby player took up the challenge. Ably assisted by childhood friends, Boutemmani is looking to rebuild the club and harbours a few ambitions for the future. An interview with a man driven by passion.
IT’S RUGBY. – Why did you agree to take over the town’s football club?
Yassin Boutemmani: It happened by chance. I’m from Soyaux, I grew up in the “Champ de Manœuvre” district. There’s a football club in my town, AS Soyaux, and it was dying. Children were leaving the club because their parents weren’t happy with the way it was run. As I’m very attached to my town and my neighbourhood, I was asked whether I could take it over. At first I thought: “What am I going to do in football? I’m a rugby man.” But I thought it over and decided to go for it. Above all I thought about the kids. We now have close to 200 registered members, most of them youngsters. I wanted to save this club.
It must be a responsibility that takes up a lot of time?
Yes, it takes up a fair amount of time but I’m not on my own. My general secretary, Lassana Kébé, is very involved. He’s from the neighbourhood and knows the club and football well. I’ve also managed to bring in a childhood friend, Wissem Karmous, who is a bank manager. He brings us his management skills. We also have several long-standing volunteers and some motivated newcomers. It’s thanks to that whole team that we’re managing to bring the club back to life, even if nothing is won yet.
What were your main objectives when you took over the club?
First, to hold on to the registered members and bring the youngsters back. Then, to find partners again. My taking over the presidency brought a new image, a bit of visibility, and that allowed us to attract backing. I was able to generate money through partnerships. The town of Soyaux supports us very well, notably with grants. On the pitch, we’ve got the momentum going again. The senior side, relegated to D1, are now top of their group. Three matches are left. I hope we’ll go up to R3.
At first I was mainly thinking about reviving the football school, but I quickly understood that the club’s shop window was the senior team. Their good results have created real enthusiasm. The youngsters come to watch them, to celebrate the wins with them. Those who had left want to come back. Little by little, we’re rebuilding the whole club, from the youth teams up to the seniors.
How do you manage to juggle your role as president and your career as a rugby player?
It’s a question of organisation. I’m not at the club every day, but as soon as I have free time I devote it to it. Preparing documents, answering emails, talking to the town hall or the district… That, broadly, is what my duties are. We share the work out well within the committee. I had a biceps injury at the start of the season, which gave me a bit more time. On the whole, I manage to juggle it all without any trouble.
Is it also a way of preparing for life after rugby?
Yes, maybe. Even though I don’t earn anything from it, because it’s voluntary. The role lets me develop management and administrative skills. That will be useful for my working life after rugby, whatever it turns out to be.
Are there links between SA XV and the Soyaux football club?
Yes, a few. The managing director of SA XV, Antoine Roger, encouraged me in this project. The rugby club has an endowment fund to support local and social initiatives, and what I’m doing fits into that. Thanks to the SA XV network, I was able to meet partners who have backed the football club financially. It’s beneficial for both clubs.
I also want to work on developing the football school, strengthening the volunteer base and, in time, setting up a class with adapted timetables at the local secondary school. They're fine projects, realistic ones, on our scale. We're not going to compare ourselves to PSG
What are your medium- and long-term plans?
We’re thinking about a lot of things. A women’s section, why not. There’s already a neighbouring club, ASJ Soyaux, very well known for women’s football. That, incidentally, is where Corinne Diacre, the former France women’s head coach, comes from. But we could take in beginner girls, for the social and educational side, without necessarily any intense competition. I also want to work on developing the football school, strengthening the volunteer base and, in time, setting up a class with adapted timetables at the local secondary school. They’re fine projects, realistic ones, on our scale. We’re not going to compare ourselves to PSG (smiles).
Doesn’t it make you want to play football again?
No, I’ve always been a rugby man! I like football, I watch the matches, but I can’t see myself playing it.
Do you go to the matches? What kind of supporter are you?
Yes, I go often but I’m not always very calm (laughs). I watch it through my rugby player’s eyes and there are differences in mentality between the two sports. But I like the atmosphere, it’s good-natured. The crowd is coming back, the refreshment stand is doing good business, and that is vital for an amateur club. We started almost from scratch but with a lot of humility. We’re moving forward step by step.
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