the essential
From international Rugby to the local stadium, the gift from the two rugby players Arnaud Méla and Mathis Ferté to the young athletes of Verdun-sur-Garonne (Tarn-et-Garonne) was appreciated.
The secret had been well kept by the club executives and neither the U12, U14 nor the cadets and juniors, nor the parents, knew who were these two rugby stars that they were going to meet, this Tuesday, November 19, 2024, on the Verdun-sur-Garonne stadium (Tarn-et-Garonne), during training.
There was excitement among both the children and adults grouped along the handrail. The veil was lifted when Arnaud Méla and Mathis Ferté presented themselves in turn, on the meadow. Méla, currently coach at Brives, former emblematic captain for nine seasons, played between Top14 and Pro D2, second line of duty, he was the first Albigensian selected in the French XV in 2008. Originally from Saint-Gaudens, trained in Lannemezan , he rubbed shoulders with players like Nicolas Mas or Lionel Nallet. As for Mathis Ferté, 20 years old, from Cahors, U20 world champion (2022-2023), he has been playing professionally for three seasons with CA Brive Corrèze Limousin. Versatile in Pro D2, he plays as a full-back, winger or scrum-half.
40 young people in junior cadets
Garonna XV has training as its credo: the club has been able to build solid foundations which command respect and admiration. The club has 30 children in U12, 45 in U14, around forty young people make up the cadet-junior group. For everyone, this Tuesday's meeting was exceptional, a real early Christmas present. The children, although a little intimidated, gave their best. The workshops led by educators were sequenced according to category, 30 minutes for U12, 45 minutes for U14 and 1 hour for the cadet-junior group. Everyone was able to benefit from the expertise of the former Commingeois and the Cadurcien through specific work on the key, positioning and synchronization of the jumper, kicking workshops for three-quarters, etc.
After training, friendly discussions continued at the club headquarters over a meal before the two exceptional guests returned to Corrèze in the evening. Garonne XV thanks Arnaud Méla and Mathis Ferté for their generosity and availability. And also Steeve Bovo who made possible the lighting of the grounds which are under construction.
France
Rugby
