Interview with… Loïc Bonnotte, video analyst - So Cholet

After a STAPS License in Dijon, Loïc Bonnotte, 20, joined SO Cholet this summer as a Video Analyst trainee, for the Senior division. Loïc talks about his arrival in the Mauges and his role within the association.

Hi Loïc who are you?

My name is Loic, I'm 20 years old. I studied in STAPS at the FAC de Dijon. I arrived this summer, on an internship as a Video Analyst at the SO Cholet club.

How did you get to SO Cholet?

A few months ago, I responded to an advertisement posted on the club's website and social networks. The SOC was looking for a Video Analyst intern on the Senior pole. I was contacted by Nénad Zekovic.

Everything was done gradually, I first had exchanges by email and telephone. Then we did an interview by video conference, then face-to-face.

How was your integration into the club?

I was very well integrated, in particular thanks to Nénad, the staff and the leaders. The club put me in good conditions to feel at home. I left Dijon to come to Cholet, so it's important for me to feel good in my new environment. I worked a lot with Nénad, on the search for a job and an apartment. This integration allows me to be efficient when I am at the club.

Are you considering studies in video analysis?

Yes, thanks to my internship at SO Cholet, I was able to start training in Lille for a university degree in "video expertise of performance in individual and team sports. It is a 4-month training course that provides the skills to become a Video Analyst in professional clubs. This training is not necessarily mandatory to do this job, but it remains beneficial from a professional and personal point of view.

What was your career as a player?

This is the first year I haven't played football. I started at the age of 6 in Sennecey le Grand, a small town near Dijon.

Why did you want to become a Video Analyst?

I am passionate about football, I have always wanted to work in this environment. When I was in STAPS, the DFCO Video Analyst came to present his day-to-day job to us. After his intervention, he trained me on different analysis and editing software. It immediately inspired me, I told myself that I wanted to make it my job.

Which SOC teams do you work with?

Today I am a Video Analyst for the Senior Division, i.e. R2 and R3 teams, even if I mainly work with the reserve team.

Tell us about your missions at SO Cholet.

My role is to film training sessions and matches, in order to sequence the videos according to the needs of the coach. I then have to edit a video, with highlights on players, areas, or even passes. This makes it possible to impact the players to help them progress. Video is essential today in the progress of a team. It is a necessary tool to be more impactful in the different themes that we want to put in place.

For you, what are the skills needed to be a Video Analyst?

You have to be passionate, patient and have a sense of observation because you have to watch the same matches 3 or 4 times if you 'is necessary. You have to understand football, to see what was positive or negative during the meeting.

What are your goals this year?

My goal will be to put myself at the service of the staff, to support our young players in their progress. Thanks to in-house support, I aspire to train myself on my know-how and my life skills, throughout the year.

Do you have a last word?

I am very happy to have joined SO Cholet. I thank the club for allowing me to be part of this adventure and particularly Nénad, the staff and the leaders of the club.