the essential
After spending a very good season at RC Villeneuve, with a rise to Federal 2, coach Patrick Hollevoet decided to join the Sainte-Livrade club, in Regional 1, next season. A carefully considered decision.
We left him haggard, collapsed, terribly disappointed last Sunday on the Mauvezin lawn after the cruel elimination of RCV in the semi-final of the French Federal 3 championship. Patrick Hollevoet went through all the emotions during this somewhat crazy match . Emotions that only this type of happy or unhappy event can convey in the career of a coach or a player.
Since this drama worthy of a play, “Bob” has moved on to a new phase and a new stage. That of his future which will now be written at the Stade Saint-Livradais in a few weeks. “It’s true that it may seem paradoxical when you have just experienced a crazy season with a club, a rise to Fédérale 2, a semi-final of a French championship but it is a personal reflection that only commits me. I would like to point out that I am leaving this Villeneuve club on very good terms and I would like to thank all its managers, all the players who have allowed me to experience incredible emotions with always a lot of kindness.” And this very kind man on the ground added “I have been coaching in different clubs for almost 24 years and I was considering taking a little break. Maybe I wasn’t ready to take on a new workload in Fédérale 2. And then the little project proposed by Sainte-Livrade, a Regional 1 club where I will meet my friend Aïssa Gacem, simply appealed to me. And I said to myself why not?
A staff with Aïssa Gacem and Sébastien Paulard
Hollevoet should coach the Livradais alongside the emblematic captain Sébastien Paulard. A new challenge for the man who was in charge of the RCV back lines, alongside his friend David Ardilouze. “David is a great coach and a very nice person with whom I have a lot of respect. It was he who trusted me in my career as a rugby union technician. I am convinced that with him, the Villeneuvois ship will quickly find its cruising speed in Fédérale 2,” continues “Bob” who will regularly follow the performances of the “blood and gold” next season.
He will return to the Trussant stadium in Sainte-Livrade, which he knows well having been French champion with the thirteen players 20 years ago. “You know, rugby is a big family and only the jersey changes color,” Hollevoet concludes with a touch of poetry.
