ABOUT THE CLUB

On 25 May 1976, a group of hunting friends, keen to improve their opportunities for shooting practice, founded the Eau Rouge Clay Pigeon Shooting Club. Under the presidency of Maurice Rouiller, a five-member committee was established, while 13 members formed the founding group. The club’s organisation continued to develop from 1977 onwards, with new members joining and two commissions being created: one tasked with drafting the club’s statutes and the other with exploring the construction of a shooting stand. In 1982, the founding president decided not to seek another term, and the General Assembly appointed Louis Rausis as his successor. Very quickly, clay pigeon shooting attracted a wider audience. Supporters, without voting rights, began joining the club. Their gradual integration as full members nevertheless created some tensions within the society. Seeking official recognition as a municipal association, the club submitted its statutes to the municipality for approval. It then became apparent that the distinction between members and supporters did not comply with legal requirements and had to be abolished. After difficult negotiations, the 1985 General Assembly ultimately decided to retain only one category of membership, with all members having voting rights. Louis Rausis continued as president, working to ease tensions and firmly establish the club on a successful path. In 1988, Louis Rausis decided not to seek a further term. Umberto Giovanetti agreed to succeed him as president, while the committee was completed with the appointment of Philippe Landois as Shooting Director and Stand Manager. The club’s presidency passed to Michel Vuadens in 1996. Two years later, in 1998, Serge Pellanda was warmly elected president by acclamation. Under his leadership, the club continued to grow and passed the milestone of 100 members. In 2008, Tom Noirjean became president and was pleased to take on this new responsibility. In 2018, Charly Rey-Mermet took over the leadership of the club, little imagining that the years ahead would prove particularly eventful. The environmental remediation of the shooting site, combined with the crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, severely disrupted the club’s activities and led to the closure of the stand in 2020, followed by further closures in 2024 and 2025. Negotiations and significant measures were required before the stand could finally reopen in 2026. During this difficult period, the steering committee established under the guidance of the Military Department played a vital role. It enabled the club to continue its activities on a temporary basis in 2022 and 2023, while awaiting the completion of the shooting site remediation works and the installation of the protective system over the Vièze River. These years of interruption, together with the substantial works carried out, placed considerable financial pressure on the club. Thanks to the support of generous donors, however, the society was able to meet its financial commitments and successfully navigate this challenging period. In June 2026, the shooting permit was finally granted. After several years of uncertainty and considerable effort, the club was able to return to its stand and resume its activities, much to the delight of its members and everyone who helps keep the site alive.