About us

For the LOVE
of THE GAME.

We're building structure into grassroots sport - because every athlete deserves a coach who knows their numbers, and every coach deserves the tools to make them count.

Where Douala, Cameroon - and wherever the next combine takes us.

Status A community sports initiative. Rolled out Jan 2026.
Join the next combine ↗ Why we exist ↓
Why we exist

Same talent.
Same passion.
Different chances.

Why does a community athlete in Bonabéri have less visibility into their performance than one in Bordeaux?

Too often, the difference is structure.

We're building frameworks - not to turn the game into a lab, but to give players and coaches the tools and language that transforms effort into measurable growth.

And the joy is seeing how far you've come.
- our north star
Where we honestly are right now
Current phase

Building slowly. Learning publicly.

We are intentionally starting small. Testing ideas, building trusted relationships, and creating meaningful local experiences before scaling.

  1. Phase 01 Local pilots Small-scale sessions, workshops, and grassroots collaborations in selected communities. We are here
  2. Phase 02 Learning systems Developing coaching frameworks, feedback loops, and community-centred methodologies.
  3. Phase 03 Shared ecosystems Supporting more local organisers and creating open tools that strengthen grassroots environments long-term.
What we do

We measure performance, make progress clear, and support growth - on and off the field.

01. Structure over scouting

Embed documentation and best practices into grassroots sport.

02. Local by default

Adapt and build for the realities on the ground.

03. Circular by design

Retain expertise and tools within the community.

Which gives us a cycle to follow
How it works

Beyond the first
whistle.

A continuous partnership.
The event gets things started; the follow-up keeps them going.

"Joy is in the millisecond."

Every athlete.
One ecosystem.

Beyond the numbers - creating a resilient ecosystem
where players can keep playing, thriving and finding value.

04 / Pathways

Open doors.

Sport opens doors. We make sure athletes can see more than one - and walk through any.

A
Mentorship
B
Skills development
C
Broadening horizons
See what this looks like in real combines
From the pitch

Field notes.

Two combines in Douala. Three host clubs. Two sports. Real numbers, real names, real growth - and we're just getting started.

35 Athletes baselined
2 Combines piloted
3 Host clubs · Bonabéri
2 Sports · rugby + football
What we test

A combine, in practice.

One day. Four blocks. Same protocol every time, so the numbers mean something across athletes, clubs, and combines.

  • 01 Sprint 10m + 30m · electronic gates
  • 02 Broad jump Standing · best of three
  • 03 Agility 5-10-5 shuttle · both sides
  • 04 Endurance Yo-yo IR1 · age-banded
Last combine

Bonabéri 02 · '26.

Date
March 2026
Host
Rock Rugby League · Douala
Athletes
25 (rugby) · ages 13–17
Fastest 30m
— ⋅ — s Number coming soon
See the day on the pitch ↘
What it isn't

For self-knowledge.

Testing for self-knowledge, not selection.

A combine gives each athlete their own numbers - to read, keep, and build on. No scouts in the stands. No ranking against peers. The point is the work that comes after.

See how the cycle works ↻
Voice 01 Bonabéri 02 · '26

Participer à ce test JDG m'a beaucoup aidée, et m'a permis de connaître mes performances, de connaître mon niveau et améliorer là où je suis moins forte.

Translation · English Taking part in the JDG test really helped me - it let me know my performance, my level, and where I need to improve.
Editorial note
C
Catalina
Combine athlete · Douala
Voice 02 Bonabéri 02 · '26

Pour tous, je peux dire un grand merci à Joie de Game pour leur projet - car grâce à leurs tests, chacun peut se qualifier à sa manière. J'aimerais qu'après chaque deux mois on nous refasse les tests pour voir l'amélioration.

Translation · English A big thank you to Joie de Game for this project - thanks to their tests, everyone can prove themselves in their own way. I'd love for the tests to be repeated every two months so we can see the improvement.
Editorial note
L
Leo
Combine athlete · Douala
Or come to the next combine yourself
Upcoming combines

Come join us
on the pitch.

14
Jun · 26

Bonabéri Combine 03

Hosted with Rock Rugby League · Douala - open to all young athletes

Sign up →
28
Jun · 26

Reading your numbers

A workshop for athletes and parents - come learn what your data means

Learn more →
12
Jul · 26

Coaches' Day: combine protocols

Train-the-trainer for community coaches - bring your club

Notify me →
Get involved

Join the
ecosystem.

/ 01
→

For athletes

Get on a combine. Measure your performance. Unlock what comes next.

Sign me up
/ 02
→

For clubs

Bring structured performance testing to your pitch. Build a baseline.

Host with us
/ 03
→

For volunteers

Help run combines, support athletes, grow the ecosystem on the ground.

Lend a hand
/ 04
→

For partners

Extend the ecosystem - clubs, brands, federations, NGOs.

Let's talk
JOIE DE GAME
Letters from the pitch

Stay close to the
community.

An occasional letter from us - combine reports, who's joining next, what we're learning, and how you can help.

Roughly one letter a month · unsubscribe anytime