Jackson Richardson: “France, an ideal footbridge to prepare my future”

He knew all. Titles to be finished moreover it, cuts to know more where to store them, distinctions in any kind, prestigious clubs, colossal championships. But at 38 years, Jackson Richardson, of which it does not remain any more that one year of contract, is worried primarily his future post-handball. Exclusive interview with one of the legends of the French hand.

When you had signed in Chambéry in 2005, the press evoked a project of reconversion at the same time. What is it exactly?
2 years ago, I thought already of my career after the handball. I had an interesting opportunity with Chambéry because the sponsor principal Michel Simond (specialized agency in the transactions of goodwills, note) wished to open a cabinet with the Meeting. Thus my return in France coincided with a good sporting project, on the one hand, and a good project of reconversion, on the other hand. At the beginning, I do not hide you that I wanted to return to the Meeting directly but France quickly became an ideal footbridge to prepare my future.

Are you who knew the greatest European championships, how considered the reconversions of the players abroad?
Already, it should well be understood that depends on the motivation and the projects of each one. Thus I will not be able to generalize. But what I can say, it is that abroad the reconversions are possible when it is about the medium handballistic. For example, François-Xavier Houlet became sport director of Gummersbach and Pascal Mahé sport director of Domargen (D2 German). But when it is a question of changing sector, it is more delicate…

Compared to is the other European countries, France located where in the assumption of responsibility of the players, in particular for the reconversion?
Once again, I cannot generalize. France does not have anything to envy, it is sure, but the only comparison that I can give you it is between Pampelune and Chambéry. When I was still in Pampelune, one had proposed a prolongation of contract to me but without plan of reconversion. That did not interest me. Thus the proposal of Chambéry was welcome. With my opinion, I think that there is a possibility of boring abroad, in his reconversion, but that remains difficult.

The returns of Narcisse and Abati in D1, this summer, prove that the championship of France east in good health, isn't?
Obviously, it is an excellent sign which they return. I think that these players feel that there is potential in our championship, and especially of the objectives. That proves that the French handball goes up the slope. Most important is that one continues to promote our sport and not a club, or people. It is necessary to advance hand in the hand, for the good of our championship. And it is only as that which one will manage to compete with the foreign clubs.

Sincerely, do you think that the French clubs can make up for lost time on our German and Spanish neighbors?
Then there, I am sure and certain! You want that I give you the best example? The team of France. I remember my first selection in January 1990. France had just integrated the World one has, after a formidable work of Daniel Costantini who had dealt with the team in World C (note: in 1985, Daniel Costantini was appointed trainer of the team of France which had just gone down in the group C, on the global scales of the national selections. In 1986, it made go up France in the group B. And in 1989, France entered the court of large, in a) group. This progression is exemplary, and it proves that any delay is surmountable. Thus I do not see reasons so that the French clubs do not do as much of it.

A short note on the economic development of the clubs. How do you analyze that?
I think that it is important that the clubs lay down objectives, because that makes it possible to better grow. Their development is on the right track, but they must still continue because the way is long to remake its delay. With my opinion, the development of the infrastructures is the paramount sector.

To finish, do we speak about your objectives in club this season?
One wishes to gain a maximum of matches, and why not play the title. But I will say especially that the objectives of the club are long-term. Chambéry wants to gain a European title.