Very ambitious for this season, Élan Béarnais extends Mickaël Hay and Bastien Pinault until 2028

ELITE 2 - At the Ambassadors' Hall of Palais Beaumont, Élan Béarnais held its media day. With staff, management and most of the team present, the ambitions for the 2025-2026 season were clear. The goal of returning to Betclic ELITE was on everyone's mind.

By@Dimitri VOITURIN

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Very ambitious for this season, Élan Béarnais extends Mickaël Hay and Bastien Pinault until 2028

Photo Credit : Tuan Nguyen

This Wednesday, Élan Béarnais invited the press for its media day. It was an opportunity for all staff members to present their sporting and structural ambitions for the upcoming season. BeBasket was there and presents the main points.

Stated objective: return to Betclic ELITE

In his speech, President Guillaume Berbinau clearly stated the club’s ambitions for the 2025-2026 season. The goal is clear: return to Betclic ELITE sustainably. While the economic model remains fragile, Élan Béarnais is committed to a long-term project. The president emphasizes the desire to « build a structured club focused on youth development and aim for stability in governance and staff. »

Striking a balance between youth and experience

Guillaume Berbineau also wants to « rediscover the club’s DNA with youth development at its core ». Thus, « Coach Mickaël Hay and staff’s intention was to build a coherent team. A careful mix of experience and youth. »

Like the president, General Director Audrey Sauret confirms Guillaume Berbinau’s statements. While the goal is to return to Betclic ELITE without going through playoffs, strengthening communication and marketing are areas for improvement next season. With a budget of 5.7 million euros for the 2025-2026 season, Élan Béarnais wants to « target both younger audiences while also broadening audience targets to reach everyone ». To attract a wider audience and retain families, a bodega project will soon be launched.

Bastien Pinault and Mickaël Hay tied to Pau until 2028

The same message comes from Sports Director Julien Lalanne. Regarding young player development, he cited the example of Kevin Marsillon-Noléo (2.00 m, 23 years). After a strong 2024-2025 season with Pau, the Martinican center signed a two-year deal with SLUC Nancy, where he’ll discover Betclic ELITE. The goal is to « win every game » even though ELITE 2’s level next season is very high. Julien Lalanne took the opportunity to announce contract extensions for captain Bastien Pinault (1.95 m, 30 years) until 2028 and coach Mickaël Hay, who will also lead the professional team until 2028.

In building his roster, head coach Mickaël Hay wanted to have « versatile players across different positions ». While Bastien Pinault « facilitates young players’ integration and has natural leadership », other recruits like Thomas Cornely (1.90 m, 33 years) will bring their « versatility and fighting spirit ».

Players will return to training on August 11 before starting a series of preparation games and looking ahead to a new season that promises to be rich in emotions.

Dimitri VOITURIN

Dimitri Voiturin est passionné de sport, de musique et de cinéma. Sur BeBasket, il partage sa vision du basket avec sensibilité et sincérité. À travers ses mots, il raconte le jeu comme un moyen d’évasion, toujours avec le souci de transmettre une émotion. Il a également participé au relais de la flamme olympique lors des Jeux Olympiques de Paris 2024, un honneur raconté sur BeBasket. Après avoir pratiqué le basket fauteuil pendant quelques années, il partage aussi sa passion pour cette discipline et prône ainsi l'inclusion dans le sport.