From rugby player to oyster farmer in Loupian, the funny trajectory of Jean-Philippe Lacoste
Apr̬s une belle carri̬re dans le rugby, Jean-Philippe Lacoste est d̩sormais ostr̩iculteur. Midi Libre РPHILIPPE MALRIC
Joueur à Narbonne et à Montpellier puis directeur du centre de formation du MHR, Jean-Philippe Lacoste a changé de vie pour devenir ostréiculteur sur le bassin de Thau à Loupian.
What is the relationship between an oyster from the Etang de Thau and a rugby ball ? Both are ovoid but one of the two does not bounce. But it is indeed a story of rebounds which marks the life of Jean-Philippe Lacoste who, suddenly, left the green meadow of the fields for the blue of the lagoon by embracing the profession of & #39;oyster farmer.
Meeting between two oyster enthusiasts
"I've always loved oysters", explains the original Vendéen. "I can eat tons of them", continues "Jean-Phi". Arriving at the Montpellier sports college, he quickly became friends with the future Frontignan handball player Alexandre Estéoule, himself an huitrovore. . "It was he who introduced me to the way here of raising these shellfish"< /em>. Between multiple tastings, the two friends quickly found themselves responsible for opening them at the slightest opportunity. So much so that they had launched the idea of ​​buying a table on the pond to offer their oysters to their friends. The little seed was then planted in their minds.
24 years in the Montpellier rugby club
It will only bear fruit several years later. In the meantime, the two friends had their careers. For Jean-Philippe, it was first at Narbonne for three years before wearing the colors of Montpellier Rugby Club, as center or fullback from 1996 to 2004. "I experienced a descent and two climbs and a year in Top 16". First rebound at the end of that season. "The club asked me to become director of the training center. After thinking about it, I agreed. I was there for 16 years", remembers Jean-Phi, 50 years old this year.
Either we go all the way, or we never talk about buying tables on the pond again
One day, he was made to understand that he had to leave. He will bounce back, once again, as sports manager of the association and coach of the hopefuls of the Oyonnax training center. But in the company of his friend Alex, Jean-Philippe began to discover the profession of oyster farmer by coming to lend a hand, in their free time, and train at the farm of Alain and Agnès Bancilhon in Loupian. "And then one day Alex calls me to tell me that they want to sell the farmhouse. We said to ourselves "either we go all the way, or we never talk about buying tables on the pond again' and after thinking and calculating well we launched ourselves". It was July 2021.