Gijs Jorna: “Toulouse, my second home”
The Toulouse captain announced his departure from Spacer’s after the victory against Plessis-Robinson (3-2). He will leave a big void in the locker room.
Gijs, after four years in Toulouse you have therefore decided to leave Spacer’s. Why ?
A new dynamic is taking place within the club with many departures, including that of “Sapi” (Stéphane Sapinart, the coach, editor’s note) and it was undoubtedly the right time for me. It’s the end of a cycle. Next season, the philosophy will probably change with a new coach (Patrick Duflos, from Sète, editor’s note) and I was perhaps not completely ready for that.
It’s a decision that should not be easy to make?
I wondered for a long time, I talked about it with my relatives and I came to the conclusion that either I was finishing my career here, or I was offering myself one last challenge. At 32, I made the choice to see something else.
What memories do you keep of your time in Toulouse?
It’s only the second time I’ve stayed at a club for so long and that means a lot. Toulouse remains my second home. I only have good memories here, with the leaders, the players, it was like a big family. I also love the city (he laughs). I met people who brought me a lot, on the floor but also outside and that, we can not forget it.
Next Saturday, against Cannes, you will play your last match with the Toulouse jersey at the Palais des sports. There will be a lot of emotion, won’t there?
Just thinking about it, it already stirs me. Now it’s the life of a top athlete to move regularly. It is already rare to stay four years in the same club. I was so proud to be captain of this club that, yes, of course, there will be a lot of emotion for the latter. I hope that there will be people to celebrate all these departures and that we can then go and have a beer all together (he laughs)!
To conclude, can we know in which club you evaluate next season?
I can’t announce anything yet because it’s not signed. I can only say that I will leave France for an ambitious project. I will tell you that very quickly (smile).