In Vannes, pros who have gone through the RC Vannes rugby school

This Saturday, RC Vannes plays in Clermont for the 7th day of Top 14. In the starting XV include Robin Taccola, 19 years old, and Mattéo Desjeux, 22 years old, two players who passed through the Rugby school of RCV. Robin Taccola, who will be leaving for a preparation course for the Six Nations Tournament from October 28 to November 10 with the French U20 team, arrived at the RCV at the age of 11. Mattéo Desjeux was 13 years old, after completing his apprenticeship at RC Pays Muzillacois. Before them, the Vannetais Gwénaël Duplenne, who plays in the Top 14 today with his long-time club, had opened the way, followed by Arthur Coville (Provence Rugby) and Nolann Le Garrec (Racing 92) who had left the RCV for continue their training. Others are pushing the doors like Louis-Marie Suta and Joseph Duong. Obviously examples for the young people who attend the Vannes rugby school, in addition of course to the entire squad of Jean-Noël Spitzer’s group that the young people follow with sparkling eyes.

At 19, Robin Taccola will play his third match in Clermont in the Top 14 and as a starter. The center, who arrived at RCV at 11, followed his training at the club before signing pro. Last season, he played nine matches in Pro D2. (Nicolas Créach/Le Télégramme)

“At no time do we talk about level”

The RCV’s performance obviously has repercussions on the rugby school. “A milestone was reached after the first season and the maintenance in Pro D2 (Editor’s note: in 2017). Since then, we have been full each school year with a maximum capacity of 240 young people, aged 5 to 14,” explains Guillaume Garcia, the sports coordinator. Faced with this enthusiasm, the club cannot accommodate everyone. So what are the selection criteria? “Already, at no time do we talk about level, nor about sizes. Everyone finds their place. From the start, young people and their families are informed of our criteria which are based on the attendance rate at training and matches, on the young person’s investment and their behavior,” answers Guillaume Garcia.

RCV jersey, from the French team, these U10s braved the rain on Wednesday at training time. Small break between exercises during which we talk about rugby, RCV pros but also French international stars. (Le Télégramme/Anne Paulou)

Transmit values

Newly elected president of the RCV rugby school, Katia David evokes above all “the notion of pleasure for young people, of meeting up with their friends and developing team spirit. The spirit of the family club is also imperative. Whether the child has a competitive spirit or a leisure spirit, it must remain a pleasure for everyone. We enter teams in each category in the championship and everyone finds their place. We are in training, transmitting the values of rugby with respect for others and oneself. We also have a real social vocation. »

The club is very attached to diversity, girls and boys play together up to 15 years old. “We currently have ten players at the rugby school and we always have room for those who want to try. You should know that out of our 44 volunteer educators, there is one educator in each category,” underlines Huguette Prévost, female representative of the association.

A story with Clermont

While RC Vannes will try to win its first victory of the season in Clermont this Saturday, the two clubs have a little history. “ASM Clermont Auvergne has been our sponsor for ten years for our U14s who play in Super Challenge. The club invited us to this national competition where we found professional clubs and amateur clubs who have recognized training. At the time we didn’t imagine that our senior team would one day find themselves at the same level! Now there is no more sponsorship, it is only reserved for the elite. Our U14s will play against Clermont on November 2 in this competition,” recalls Guillaume Garcia.