Sport in the spotlight at the foot of Coudon
La Valette-du-Var celebrated its athletes with the Coudon Sports Nature event and the Trophées de la Pigne ceremony in June.
In June, young and old athletes gathered at the foot of the Coudon massif for a major sports day.
Coudon Sports Nature
Named "Coudon Sports Nature", the event, launched six years ago, combined two assets: an exceptional natural setting and a high-quality pool of local associations.
The combination of both, orchestrated by the Service des sports, offered memorable moments, including small and large zip lines, farm animals, archery, a climbing wall, pétanque, and demonstrations by the dog club, whose facilities served as a meeting and reception point, in the presence of elected officials.
Trophées de la Pigne
This year, the event took on a special significance, as Julien Argento, the mayor, is a former high-level rugby player. As such, sport has held an important place in his life as well as in his vision for the municipality.
It was with this dynamic in mind that he hosted the 2026 edition of the Trophées de la Pigne, on June 24, at the Salle Valérie-Garnier, in front of the winners and their families.
Exceptional sponsors
Exceptional sponsors were present: Gérald Michiara (alias Major Gérald on social media), a French athlete, former champion (1988 - 2012) in boxing, sambo, freestyle wrestling, kickboxing, and full-contact; Maxime Mermoz, a former French rugby player, world runner-up in 2011; and Éric Champ, a former French rugby union player who played for RC Toulon and the French national team.
They recalled the importance of sporting values, both for physical and psychological health and for maintaining social ties. Sporting activity often represents a profound and formative human experience that reveals sometimes unsuspected potential.
This was evident as each of the winning clubs came onto the stage to receive their Trophy from the hands of the mayor, Hervé Puveland, deputy delegate for Sports, and the sponsors.
The winners
At the Var level, here are the winners: Les Archers Valettois, ASPTT (half-marathon, hammer throw, javelin...), basketball (U11 boys and girls), UAV Football (U13, U14, U19), Judo Ju Jistu, La Valette Cyclo, and RCT Bowling.
At the regional level: Les Archers Valettois, ASPTT, UAV (U16, U20), La Valette Cyclo stood out, alongside Kombat Club Méditerranéen.
At the national level, martial arts distinguished themselves, with prizes for Qwankido Song Phuong, Judo Ju Jitsu, and Kombat Club Méditerranéen. Without forgetting ASPTT.
An honorary trophy for handball
To close this memorable evening, an honorary trophy was awarded to La Valette Handball, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year.
An award that resonates with Coudon Sports Nature, since Jean-Christophe Weingaertner was head of the Service des Sports for nearly 30 years and head of the club. All of this was supported by the commitment of his father, Jean, founder of the club at the request of the town hall in 1976, who confided: "All of this is based on human connection, on the idea that sport helps to reveal people."
Photos PRESSE AGENCE.