Tarn-et-Garonne 2024 amateur rugby trophy: vote for the best player in the department

They are back! Amateur rugby trophies organized by La Dépêche du Midiin partnership with the departmental rugby committee of Tarn-et-Garonne, return for their third edition. To celebrate the actors of this 2023/2024 season, marked by great sporting successes in our department, it is through the presentation of numerous prizes that each cog in the discipline will be celebrated.

Today, place for the best players in the department. There are three nominated and one of them will try, thanks to your votes, to become the winner of these amateur rugby trophies version 2024. The jury has decided to put three in competition:

Emily Manoury (Moissac, Castelsarrasin and Valence d'Agen agreement): the Meerkats, “it's gut-wrenching”

Will the Meerkats continue their raid, and once again climb to the top of the podium? This time, it's Emily Manoury, the team's fly-half, who is in the spotlight. “It's great, but I think I have a bit of pressure, don't I? I hope I won't be the first to lose (laughing).” One thing is certain, Emily is not the last to motivate her group. The 27-year-old has spent her entire life in the oval environment, apart from a short sabbatical two years ago. “There was a certain weariness, that's for sure, with two training sessions a week, and matches on the weekend. There were also the club's own organizations, like the lotteries… It was extremely time-consuming, and I I needed a break to come back stronger.”

The Meerkats are a team, but above all it's a club where life is good, with many things organized, the creation of the players' association… We didn't have to wait very long before that Emily rediscovers the pleasure of the field. “It was simply to experience something else, it was never a question for me of a change of scenery. Meerkats one day, Meerkats always. We still have mothers who come back to play in the team, even though they had said that they stopped The Meerkats, it's a state of mind, and that's what we're looking for, it's a bit gut-wrenching (smile).”

A happiness that can be cultivated

So, when we are happy somewhere, we cultivate this happiness. And that makes you want to invest your all. “When you sign a license, it's to do the most for your club. Personally, I'm also someone who teaches. I always try to bring something to the girls who are at my side. I'm not shy, but not big mouth. Never in excess, but I always say what I think (smile).” Last season, Emily contributed to the club's good season, although she doesn't count her statistics. “The main thing is that the team wins. The role of a 10 is more to make people score than to score.” This season, Emily has only scored one try. But no matter what, “we don’t have time to put out a fire for another to light (smile).”

Inés Gasparroto (US Montalbanaise): determined, and who always wants to do more

Inès Gasparotto, 23, physiotherapist in Montauban, started rugby only three years ago at USM, on the wing, but also played second row several times, and twice in the center to help out. Subsequently she positioned herself in the 3rd wing line, to the great joy of her coaches and teammates. His idols are Anthony Jelonch and Gaëlle Hermet, a good choice you will agree. Her teammate Emma Battistella, fly-half, is full of praise for her. “We are delighted for her, I hope that this year we will win the trophy. She is a determined player, who never stops having plans for our team, who always wants to do more. She deserves her role as captain. She is very important to the group.”

Despite a young career behind her, Inès regrets not having started rugby at a younger age, but hopes to one day see the team move up a division, with a large group of players. “I think we need to toughen up our team, keep the players, and make other girls want to join USM.” As for personal satisfactions, or regrets, her cupboard of memories is starting to fill up little by little, like the fact of having finished first in the group two years ago, but she still has the defeat in the quarter-final of the championship, against Albi. Like many people, Inès is a fan of USM in Pro D2, but the imponderables of Friday training do not allow her to see all the matches at Sapiac. She also follows Stade Toulouse. Outside of rugby, she loves basketball, which she played for 11 years, and also loves being on the field, enjoying family and friends.

Marie Sartron (Coquelicots Montechois): a triple passion

Marie Sartron likes sport in general. She has been horse riding for a long time and started with basketball. For two years, she turned to rugby thanks to a friend, Alisson, who played at Montech. Although she has left the big orange ball somewhat aside, Marie still practices horse riding, where she rides horses competitively. She manages to combine her passion for horses, that of rugby and her studies. “On the professional side, I am preparing my hearing aid diploma in parallel with my work, as an optician-optometrist, with my father.” On the rugby side, her precision and speed make her a key player for the Coquelicots seniors who reached the final phase last year, and are still undefeated this year.

She recounts her arrival at the Launet stadium, with her friend. “I started rugby thanks to a friend, Alisson Rémolu, who was a cadet at Montech before, and who wanted to start again as a senior. So we went together, and since then I have never stopped. Everything was new, the girls were starting the senior team, the coaches had just changed, but I immediately clicked with everyone. The girls make me feel at home, and this close-knit atmosphere really makes me want to give my best for them. Whether you look to the left or to the right, on the field, you have a sister next to you, and that's the most motivating thing. I tell myself that nothing can happen to me as long as they are there. We are supported from A to Z by the staff, they listen to us and that’s what makes us 100% on the pitch.”