Aude: who is Jean-Louis Cung, the future president of the departmental rugby committee

The 2020-2024 mandate of Alain Palausse's team at the head of the Aude departmental rugby committee ends on December 14, 2024. Alain Palausse and his vice-president Michel Ramon are not standing for re-election in the votes of the presidents of the Aude clubs.

Only one list, validated by the electoral operations control commission, applied. It is led by Jean-Louis Cung and has 18 members, 13 men and 5 women. Clubs can vote “yes” or “no” until Saturday, December 7.

Jean-Louis Cung, recently 70 years old, is not unknown in departmental rugby. He was first part of Alain Palausse's team since 2019: “When we found out that he was not running again, I offered to continue”he admits. Who is this Chaurien who takes over from another… Chaurien? “I was born in Aude 70 years ago. I came from a farming family and I went on a civil service tour of France at the age of 23. I was headmaster of an agricultural high school for 30 years. returned at retirement age, in 2019. I have a house in Aude, I have never cut ties with this department”he explains.

Former high school principal

And rugby, in this rich and varied journey? “I played it in the different places I was. I am part of that category of people who were told, when I was little, that you shouldn't play rugby because you risk getting hurt. In the end, I missed rugby a little for my personal development. My friends went there, not me. I went there a little later, but when you go a little later, it's always a little more complicated. “

A small rugby career which did not prevent Jean-Louis Cung from taking care of school rugby for 20 years: “In Granada, they came to look for me to help out at the rugby club. Three months later, I was president and I was for 4 years. I was able to see all the facets, all the issues in the environment which have not necessarily changed since 2005.”

Since knowing that he will take over from the outgoing president, the former high school principal has traveled the department, meeting the presidents and their associates: “I proposed to those who wish to give me a candidate to be on the list, either as a holder or as a co-optee. There are people in favor of Florian Grill, Didier Codorniou, Joël Castany or to Alain Aspiroz. I just want to give my time. I know how a club works and I think I have a departmental vision.

His future project will therefore be carried out in continuity with the previous term of office, with education and schooling at the forefront: “I have worked a lot to bring the world of rugby closer to the world of education. This sport is a fantastic tool for educational, social and professional integration. I was responsible for school rugby at the FFR, at the league too, elected to the departmental committee If I choose the field, it is because that is where the actors are, the concrete.

The committee provides support to the grassroots, the clubs, and we must meet their expectations

He admits it bluntly: “My personality will be a little different from that of Alain (Palausse), a great rugby figure who saw them all born. We will continue this action. We will work with the teams in place at the League, at the FFR. We are a local service that listens to clubs. We must not leave basic questions unanswered. A rugby club is like a business in the name of financial security. of player safety We must support everything. this, encouraging clubs to engage in the societal approach, RSO All this is managed by volunteers, they have to have fun.

On December 14, in the premises of the former oval house of the territory in Narbonne, the proclamation of the results will take place, as well as the official handover between the old and new president of the committee: “We are going to do a mandate, and then we will see. These structures are a support to the base, the clubs, and we must meet their expectations. If in 2028, this structure meets the expectations of the clubs, I will be happiest. “