Women's handball: Bouillargues and Léa Lacroix, preparation and ambition

L’arrière Léa Lacroix, 26 ans, cadre du BHNM. MIDI LIBRE

Bouillargues is back in the women's D2 with a rejuvenated and renewed group. An update on the pre-season preparation with Léa Lacroix, one of the group's leaders.

Before the first official match, Saturday September 7 (meeting at 8 p.m. at the Agora) against Nice (D1) in the Coupe de France, the BHNM's preparation and friendly match campaign are in full swing. If the defeat was severe for the Bouillarguaises on August 22, on the floor of the Spanish D1 of Granollers (29-21), they knew how to react the next day on the side of Thuir, winning 25-20 against a tenacious N1.

Two first tests that saw Léa Lacroix shine, notably by finishing MVP of the first part, with a 6/9 shooting. From this first collective gallop, the full-back and executive for three seasons keeps a positive impression: “We had a very good first half, we showed a good image”. Comfortable in all sectors, from far and near, Léa Lacroix, 26, was able to express herself by confirming her versatility. She is announced as one of the leaders of the Gard team in a season marked by renewal.

Ten departures, nine arrivals

“There is a certain amount of time to adapt to get used to new players and new relationships within a young group.” Indeed, the BHNM recorded ten departures and had a makeover with nine arrivals: Shaina Lembo (Nice, N1, left winger), Camille Famery (BHNM, N2, left winger), Alice Mazel (Dijon, N1, left winger), Emma Terrisson (Bruguières, N1, half-center), Clotilde Buzin (Le Pouzin, D2, half-center), Julie Cornut (Lyon, D2, goalkeeper), Claire Scheid (Octeville, N1, left back), Candy Jabateh (Reims, N1, right winger) and Luna Marin (Noisy-le-Grand, D2 relegated to N1, right winger).

A fitness trainer from Metz

On the staff side, the physical preparation was orchestrated by Nicolas Jarzat, straight from one of the best French women's clubs, Metz.“He is very good and a good listener, you can see that he comes from a big club. He makes us want to do things well and live up to his expectations”, appreciates Léa Lacroix.

“Do as well, or even better”

Feeling good in her body, she wants to assert her status a little more: “I would like to do as well, or even better, than at the end of last season. I want to show myself as a strong element of Bouillargues and gain in consistency. My goal is to lead the team to good results”, she confides.

After the Cup, it will be the first day of the D2 championship, still at home, with the reception of the repêché Lyon Vaulx-en-Velin on Saturday 14 at 20 . But before that, two last friendly matches in Montpellier (N1) and especially at the Agora on Saturday against Bouc-Bel-Air (also N1) at 19  30 will serve as final rehearsals. The opportunity to discover a rejuvenated team but which remains no less ambitious.

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