essential On the eve of their sixteenth final, players of the first team from Cahors Rugby can count on unfailing support of their club. Cross training, flags in the stands, admiration of the little ones, all the Cadurcian rugby is behind them.
“I will support them as soon as I can,” says Marcelo, a young player of the club, in the under -twelve year old category. On the edges of the lawn, a few minutes before training, the excitement can be read in looks, gestures, and the voices that rise. The children talk about the match, try to tear off some information from Robin Morelle, sports manager of the rugby school, and player in the senior team. “So who will come up? Do you know the composition? And the bench?”, They ask. Questions fuse, the forecasts are launching. On Sunday, the team one plays its 16th final of Federal 2, on the Hasparren field, in New Aquitaine, and in the stands, on the buses or in front of their screen, the whole club will be behind it.
“It’s not just a club, it’s a family”
This fervor does not date from yesterday. “When the team one wins, the little ones resume the war cry with them, as if they were part of the group,” said Gaby Urlacher, president of the rugby school. “Everything that makes us vibrate in rugby, we transmit it,” he adds. From the nag at the entrance to the players, including the ball collectors, their involvement goes beyond the simple presence in the stands. “The kids come to the stadium all year round,” says Robin. “When they meet a senior, it doesn’t matter which one, they want to know how the last match happened, what will happen on Sunday. They are admiring. We feel that we are almost idols. It is natural continuity.” There are many gateways between generations. Three juniors and a cadet supervise the youngest. Seniors come to encourage, discuss, supervise workshops. “We really make everyone come across everyone, that everyone is talking about it,” said Robin. “It’s a family,” he admits, smiling.
“I want to play in their place”
In the footsteps of the elders, some dream of one day putting on the sky and white jersey in a team one, and the emulation is palpable. He has not yet walked the lawn of a federal 2 match, but Marius already thinks about it. At 17, this RQL player, the Cahors-Luzech-Castelnau-Montratier junior agreement, closely follows the course of the first team. This Sunday, he will not be on the chartered bus for the trip, but he will have his eyes riveted on the score. “There is always a great atmosphere at the matches of seniors, the stands are full, it encourages me to be able to play, one day, in the group,” he slips. Gaspar, also in junior, nourishes the same objective. “This club is close to my heart. I want to be in their place. When I see the rugby they produce, the atmosphere around, it motivates me even more,” he said with pride.
On Sunday, everyone will have their eyes turned to Hasparren. “I see them in Federal 1, me,” said Marcelo, convinced, and his prognosis falls. “Cahors will gain two trials and two penalties, Raphaël Grandmougin in brand, that’s for sure,” he predicts. It remains to be seen whether the young supporter will have been right. Answer tomorrow.
