We went to meet Alice Fougeray vice-world champion of freestyle in 2013 in Tokyo. The young southerner talks about her discipline and her history with freestyle. Author of a video that is currently a huge buzz on youtube, she kindly gave us time to better know and understand why this discipline is so close to her heart.

Hello Alice so that our readers can discover you, can you introduce yourself?
"Hello I am Alice Fougeray 21 years old, freestyleuse professional football for 7 years.I have played as a player in the women's team of OGC Nice while practicing freestyle during or outside training. I dreamed of a professional career like joining the French team, all these ambitions came to an end when I seriously injured myself during a meeting in Aix-en-Provence, it was a February 6th, I will remember it all my life .. The pain was inexplicable, verdict: fracture open dislocation of the ankle.I understood that I would not go back on a lot.I took a big slap morally and physically, a long period of depression to follow. Freestyle saved my life, it was a way for me to keep this link with the ball, I took the training intensely, motivated and hardened more than ever after my accident. other, all this suffering and hard work were rewarded in Tokyo in 2013 when I won the title of vice champion of the world of freestyle football. "

Explain to us your discipline, how does a Freestyler career unfold?
"Freestyle football is a discipline that consists of making the maximum number of possible figures with a ball, until real choreographies.All parts of the body can be exploited (hands, head, chest, knee, temple, neck, etc.). .)

It's simple, you get a ball and you do what you want. "

Why did you choose Frestyle instead of classic football?
"There are a lot of competitions organized every year but I'm going to talk about the one that has the most impact, this is the Redbull street style, I participated in 3 editions: the first in Italy in Lecce, then Tokyo and finally Brazil, the world's best meet and compete in the form of 1vs1 (battle) similar to the breakdance.The qualifications are online video.The athlete is judged by pros on several criteria ( Style, creativity, overall performance, best gesture and control). "

How is your daily workout? do you have a team?
"I would like to train every day but it's hard with the pain of my handicap.In average 2 to 3 times a week for 2 hours, I'm the only one here to practice football freestyle. training: anywhere, in the winter, I find myself in a room, I have never been coached, we are learning in a self-taught way, inspired by videos and being creative. "

Your dream would be to be sponsored and to join a team? Do you have examples of girls, for example?
"I'd really like to win a sponsor one day, I'm working hard for that! I want to join a team I do not think no, but a duo will be done with Corentin Baron, an Angevin freestyler. and that I have always had a man, it is Séan Garnier, I dream to walk in his footsteps.On the side of the girls there is a lot of jealousy and competition, I do not like the mentality. "

Tell us a little about the concept of this video that makes the buzz on youtube?
"I was contacted by MaxManTV (a well-known YouTube channel) for a shoot in Malaysia." The idea is not new but the goal is to silence the prejudices around women's football and show that the girls can play as well, I'm seen disguised as a grandmother giving a lesson to the boys, I admit that I suffered a lot during the recording because I do not have to play normally. 400,000 views in 4 days I hope it will continue. "

Can we find coaches or clubs that teach this discipline?
"I give myself lessons, you can contact me if you are interested (e) s via my email address contact@alicefreestyle.com I have like project to mount my own school later.I think this discipline will take more and more of scale and that more and more young people will be curious.There is a school that is located in Marseille and one that has just opened in Lille. "

Do you have a motto?
"It's a phrase that I tattooed on my wrist shortly after my accident" Never give up. "For me, it's a way to fight the pain and never give up on a daily basis. a real state of mind, not to mention only my career but in all the trials of life.This is a kind of shell casante. "Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= p5aSSrC8D8wLabidi Samir

Credit Photo: Alice Fougeray