Ciril GROUP and ASVEL join forces with young people to inspire the future

Published February 28, 2025

When sport and business combine to inspire youth at Ciril GROUP

On February 26, 2025, Ciril GROUP opened its doors to some forty young people from the Mission Locale de Villeurbanne for an afternoon of enriching exchanges. Organized in partnership with the LDLC ASVEL club as part of the "ASVEL Citoyen" program, this event aimed to highlight the links between the fundamental values of sport and those of the professional world, underlining the importance of perseverance, teamwork and resilience in every career path. For the occasion, two emblematic figures of women's basketball, Dominique MALONGA and Paoline SALAGNAC, shared their experiences and their vision of success.

Sport and business: shared values for success

The event began with a welcome from our Chairman, Amaël GRIVEL, who introduced Ciril GROUP and its values, stressing the importance of social commitment in the corporate world. He also recalled the various actions undertaken and underlined the importance of the partnership between Ciril GROUP and LDLC ASVEL which, through the ASVEL Citoyen program, aims to promote inclusion and equal opportunities.

Mamadou DISSA, Director of Mission Locale de Villeurbanne, then spoke about the association's essential role in helping young people find employment and training, by providing them with the keys and support they need to succeed.

Finally, Valentine TRACLET, coordinator of the ASVEL Citoyen program, outlined the program's mission: to make the club a model of social responsibility in sport and use its influence to promote a more inclusive and supportive society.

Testimonials from champions: hard work, perseverance and passion

The highlight of the afternoon was a talk by Dominique MALONGA and Paoline SALAGNAC, who shared their respective journeys, rich in challenges and lessons learned.

Dominique MALONGA, young French basketball prodigy and LDLC ASVEL Féminin club player from the age of 15, retraced her meteoric rise. Selected for the French team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, she helped them win the silver medal. Behind this success lie years of hard work, sacrifice and perseverance. She stressed the importance of believing in your dreams, but also of setting goals and giving yourself the means to achieve them through constant hard work and iron discipline.

Paoline SALAGNAC, a former professional player who is now committed to passing on her experience, spoke of the challenges she faced during her career. She emphasized the importance of resilience and adaptability, explaining how the setbacks and difficulties she encountered forged her determination and success. Her message to the young people present was clear: each path is unique, but perseverance and personal investment are the keys to achieving your goals, whether in sport or in the professional world.

After these inspiring testimonials, a time for exchange allowed the young people present to put their questions to the sportswomen. Discussions focused on managing pressure, the importance of teamwork, and the need to stay true to one's values and not be discouraged by obstacles. This sincere and motivating dialogue enabled the young people to project themselves and gain a better understanding of their own career paths.

An initiative made possible by collective mobilization

This event would not have been possible without the invaluable contribution of all those involved in its organization: Paoline SALAGNAC, Valentine TRACLET, Stéphanie PACHECO, François-Xavier WALIGOVA, Aurélie METRAL, Horia BENDJEGUELAL and Laure BARNOUIN. Their dedication helped create a unique and enriching moment of exchange for the youth of Villeurbanne.

Ciril GROUP: a strong commitment to youth

By initiating and organizing this event, Ciril GROUP is reaffirming its commitment to young people and professional integration. Convinced that inspiring encounters can trigger vocations and open up new perspectives, we wish to continue to invest in initiatives that promote equal opportunities and the transmission of positive values.