“There was definitely something to do. Historically, there had never been one in Cognac. We celebrated the 125th anniversary of the club and to say that we are creating the very first… It was about time,” continues the former player and ex-reserve coach.
“Everything to do with novices who really listen”
It was his daughters who made him want to put on his boots again… as a coach. “They always told me ‘if there had been Rugby in Cognac, we might have done it’. Either I took the plunge and something was created, or I might regret it one day. It really comes from a discussion this summer with them. It was a form of commitment for me and I also needed support at the club. My friend Julien Descoubes was all in. We played and trained together. It was important that he was also in the project. Just like Sébastien Peluchon, who is more specialized on the back lines. He has a daughter, who is a friend of mine… We said we were going together and we tried to start a dynamic. »
Educator at the club and also a former player, Guillaume Guesdon has also joined the adventure. “That’s a good staff ratio! But it also gives us freedoms. We know that there will always be someone available to coach,” underlines Nicolas Mottet.
“We are rediscovering rugby differently. There is everything to be done with players who are novices but who really listen. They are very motivated and attentive. As soon as we give an instruction, they apply it to the letter and everything is done in good humor. We want to make them want to come back. »
12 to 14 rugby women in training
A group of 25 players was formed and there are between 12 and 14 of them training each week.
The sessions take place every Friday (7:30 p.m.) at the Cognac outdoor base. “Then, we will surely go to a small corner of the Sports Park,” anticipates Nicolas Mottet. “And we will eventually move to two training sessions if we enter competition. For the moment, we have already managed to retain the loyalty of a small group. We wanted to start by launching the project and seeing if it was attractive. Perhaps we will look at things differently next season. »
-Friendly meetings will probably take place at the end of the season “to see what it looks like in a match context. Which would also gratify the girls who came from the start. There is a state of mind of amateur rugby that remains, as we really like it. We emphasize the pleasure of playing and spending good times together. We hope it will continue. We will swell little by little. We have to get through the winter,” notes Nicolas Mottet.
A first meal at the clubhouse
A first meal was organized with the players, at the USC clubhouse, before the end-of-year celebrations. They had a visit from the coaches of the first team. “It’s rewarding. We structure the training and the club has also provided equipment only for the section. »
Anyone who is interested in the project or motivated by the desire to take up rugby can contact the club to find out more. Only one condition: be of legal age. “You shouldn't hesitate to come directly to training for a first contact,” concludes Nicolas Mottet, who, with “the friends” and the players, is already having a lot of fun. “They surprise us all the time, it’s very motivating! »
The League is committed to combating menstrual poverty with protection distributors
In January, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Rugby League launched a partnership with Lubia, a start-up which deploys distributors of organic and plastic-free hygienic protection. The goal? Take action against menstrual poverty. Devices will therefore be installed in clubs in the region with three objectives: “to make rugby clubs inclusive places for everyone, to provide intimate protection for players, in particular the M15F and senior women’s sections engaged in competitions regional and federal, raise awareness among young players about menstruation and their link with sports practice,” explains the League. She also announces that “awareness sessions dedicated to U15 F and U18 F players, during events such as the Federal Challenge or U15 F Monitoring Center gatherings” will be organized.
