LFH Division 2 Féminine
The Division 2 Féminine is a handball league, and the second level of the French women's handball pyramid. It is organized by the Ligue Féminine de Handball, under delegation from the French Handball Federation.
Founded in 1971, it is currently contested by 14 teams. The league has both professional and amateur players.
History
Founded in 1971, it was directly administered by the FFHB until the end of the 2021/2022 season when the D2F was absorbed by the LFH – the LFH was already managing the elite women's league.Competition format
All 14 teams play each other twice during the regular season. At the end of the regular season, the best placed team that possesses the status is promoted to the top-tier level Division 1 Féminine, and is replaced by the relegated bottom team from D1F.The bottom three placed teams from each season of the D2F are relegated to the third tier level of handball, Nationale 1 Féminine. 3 qualified teams from N1F take their places.
Teams receive three points for a win, two points for a draw and one point for a loss.
VAP status
Clubs who want to access to the D1F in the relatively short term have to apply for and earn the VAP status.The VAP status is given annually to Division 2 clubs which have made the necessary steps to facilitate their professionalization and promotion to the top league.
They have to fulfil set specifications, including:
- 4 full-time professional players within the team, 3 full-time equivalent players
- 1 full-time professional coach with the required diplomas
- 1 or several administrative personnel
- 1 reserve team or a U17 team playing in a French league
- provisional budget of €600,000
- positive capital stock
- a court that fulfills set minimal standards
- presence of a doctor and a kinesitherapist at home games, a kinesitherapist at away games
- access to high-speed Internet in the arena / gymnasium / sport facility