A successful 1rst edition for the Unité Foot Tournament

On Wednesday morning, the Bernard-Gasset sports complex had tapped into its secret fountain of youth. Around a hundred children aged between 10 and 14, all from DITEP (Therapeutic, Educational and Pedagogical Centre and Institute), had gathered to take part in the first edition of the Unité Foot tournament. Organised by Espoir Orange and Rêve Bleu, in partnership with the DITEP in Bourneville, the aim of this tournament was to promote inclusion, cooperation and personal development among young people through sport.

From 9.30 am, the 10 teams from Trèbes, Narbonne, Sète, Lodève, Béziers and Montpellier gathered around Laurent Nicollin, who had come to welcome the participants with a welcome breakfast. At around 10.00 am, the MHSC President also kicked off the first matches, organised as 7-a-side games on half a pitch and refereed by players from the MHSC Academy. It was an opportunity for both the participants and the coaches present to enjoy a break whilst showcasing their skills, commitment and team spirit.

Alongside the matches, and whilst waiting for their game, participants were also able to enjoy an MHSC-themed entertainment village throughout the day, featuring inflatable attractions, a photo booth, a colouring corner with deckchairs for the little ones, and a game of cornhole, all accompanied by music from the Hérault-Sport mobile stage.

In the early afternoon, players from the MHSC professional team came to watch the matches and even support their team, as 10 of them had been appointed as mentors for a participating team. Following a penalty shoot-out victory in the final against Réal Bourneville, sponsored by Julien Laporte, it was ultimately Simon Ngapandouetnbu’s Languedoc side that became the first to have their name added to the Unité Foot tournament honours list for the 2026 edition. The winners, along with all the participants, received trophies and medals from Zoumana Camara, coach of the MHSC professional team.

But, beyond the competition itself, this event above all highlighted essential values such as solidarity, fair play and self-confidence. An event that is fully in line with MHSC’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) approach, championed by Espoir Orange and Rêve Bleu, by helping to promote social inclusion, equal opportunities and access to sporting activities for all. Through this initiative, the club and its endowment fund reaffirm their commitment to a more inclusive and supportive society. Espoir Orange and Rêve Bleu would like to thank all the partners who supported this event (ASI, Studio 1re, FPI and Pailhes Peintures) and the supervisors who helped make the day a success.