“We wonder if we are going to win our match, here people wonder if they will be able to eat”: the RCN and the Restos du coeur du Gard sign a partnership

“Rugby is a sport with strong values”. On this Thursday, October 31, the Nîmes Rugby Club (RCN) and the Restos du Cœur du Gard have just sealed a partnership at the Nîmes Arnavielle activity center, with the aim of supporting the association's solidarity actions towards people in difficulty .

In the presence of several representatives, notably Alain Bourdereau, president of Restos du coeur du Gard, Steeve Calligaro, president of the RCN, as well as certain club players such as Marius Vialle, Pierre Chastaing, and Saimone Qeleca, this event marks the start of citizen collaboration.

Sport in the service of solidarity

This partnership is the result of a collective approach by the RCN, which wishes to support local causes close to the Nîmes community. “This is a cause that concerns the people of Nîmes, and the RCN cannot act as if these problems did not exist”explains Steve Calligaro. Aware of the importance of the club's social commitment, the president emphasizes the values ​​of fraternity and mutual aid which define rugby: “We have the chance to practice the most beautiful sport in the worldhe quips. Very modestly, we try to shed some light on these essential causes. We wonder if we will win our match in three days (reception of CS Vienne Rugby, Editor’s note), here people wonder if they will be able to eat.”

In this context, the RCN players mobilized by coming to lend a hand to the volunteers of the Restos du coeur du Gard this week. In addition to their logistical support, the club plans to organize a charity match on January 25 (reception of the Servette Rugby Club of Geneva, Editor's note) where 50% of the profits will be donated to the Restos du coeur du Gard. “It’s essential to refocus on what really matters”recalls Steeve Calligaro, emphasizing the importance of putting sport at the service of the community.

Constantly increasing needs

For the Restos du Cœur du Gard, this partnership appears like a little breath of fresh air as needs continue to grow each year. Alain Bourdereau, departmental president of the association, expressed his satisfaction with this collaboration: “We are very happy with this partnership. This will allow us to share certain activities with the RCN and increase our visibility a little more.”

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The Restos du coeur du Gard, on the front line facing insecurity, encounter numerous logistical challenges, particularly linked to premises. Currently, the association only has two food aid centers in Nîmes – Newton and Arnavielle – an insufficient number to meet growing demand. “Between March and November, more than 250,000 meals were distributed in Gard, including 863,000 in Nîmes alone.explains Alain Bourdereau. Across the department, the distribution of meals increased by 40% between 2022 and 2023.”