“You can use informal terms with me,” Florian Grill whispers to a manager as he arrives at the La Brède Rugby clubhouse. The president of the French Rugby Federation was in South Gironde on Saturday January 25 to discuss the lack of infrastructure with the clubs. He will be this Sunday in Saint-Magne-de-Castillon.
“The sustainability of the club is in danger because the educators and leaders are wearing out,” warns the co-president of La Brède Rugby, Eric Lapeyronnie. The structure has 378 licensees and 339 players, who cover all categories, from under-six to seniors. This Saturday, on the main field, the tackles often end in the mud.
“We have land in very poor condition and an annex which is lit and drained but which is not up to standard,” explains Eric Lapeyronnie. We need additional land. For changing rooms, we are often cramped or forced to borrow one. »
“I’m coming to give a little help,” reacts Florian Grill. He recalls that “half of the players on the fourteen French teams come from towns or villages with less than 15,000 inhabitants. » So, what solutions can be provided to small structures? “When we don't have money, we try to have ideas,” defends the president, whose Federation must deal with a heavy deficit. “The ideas go more to the side of businesses than to the State and communities, even if we are fighting to ensure that the budget of the Ministry of Sports is maintained. »
La Brède Rugby has a pride of place (here in the image), as well as a training ground which is not up to standard.
Thibault Seurin / SO
Aid from businesses
“We negotiated a fund of two million additional euros with the equipment manufacturer Adidas,” continues the president. All clubs that have competing female cadet or senior teams can have 2,000 euros in equipment allocation. This would make 4,000 euros for the La Brède club. »
“Many clubs have infrastructure difficulties with the increase in the number of licensees,” confirms Michel Réchède, president of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Rugby League. On the subject of land, eyes are turned towards the Community of Communes. “I think there are a few communities around La Brède that could perhaps accommodate them, at least for the rugby school,” believes Michel Réchède.
In recent years, La Brède has spared no effort in pooling, notably by entering into an agreement with Cadaujac for women's sports. On the other hand, the club decided to stop the senior agreement with Villenave-d'Ornon. And the co-president concluded, quite annoyed: “this will make one more team to play on the field”.
- Bernard Mugica
Florian Grill and Jérôme Guillem exchanged during the Langon-Albi match.
At the Langonnais Stadium
The president of the federation also made a detour to the Comberlin stadium in Langon. “I came to see the miracle of the Stade Langonnais, the smallest budget in Nationale 2.” The subject of infrastructure was also on the table in connection with criticism of the coach in particular. Florian Grill lobbied elected officials. “The community of municipalities can perhaps take over. » The mayor, Jérôme Guillem, affirmed that the subject was taken in hand. “The presidents have made reasonable requests of us, we will support them. »
Emma Gouaille
Florian Grill alongside the presidents of Stade Langonnais Julien Perrot and Benjamin Barbe.
