the essential
Player but also coach, Élodie Fernandez brings happiness to her club.
Very young, passionate about rugby thanks to her family where all the men are rugby players and the women are fervent supporters, Élodie very early took the path to the Jean-Bourrel stadium where she set foot on the pitch at the age of 6 alongside the boys from Arpal.
At 14, with her passion still strong, she joined the women’s team at Stade Toulousain which opened its doors to her.
From then on, she moved through the categories among minittes, cadets, 1st year in Elite reserve, a team which was champion of France in 2022. Just 20 years old, she is now playing in Elite 1, the highest level in the girls category.
At the same time, her passion for rugby and sport in general naturally led her towards a degree in Science and Techniques of Physical and Sports Activities (Staps) where she fully enjoys her course with the aim of pursuing a profession linked to sport.
As part of her degree, she supervised the boys under 10 last year and the juniors at Stade Toulousain this year with great energy and great motivation: “this experience reminds me of my years spent in Quillan with the boys, the year in juniors is the one which leaves me with the most beautiful memories and encouraged me to head down this path”.
Away from the stadiums for six months following an injury, she has rediscovered the pleasure of playing and can once again flourish with the seniors of the Elite 1 group. Her return to the field was marked on Sunday by the victory in the Coupe de France against Bordeaux (28 to 15) at the Armadie stadium in Agen. Upon the return of the international players involved in the 6 nations tournament, the senior Elite 1 team continues its journey and will begin its last group match Sunday May 12 for the Elite 1 championship which will be followed by the final phases. There is no doubt that Élodie will put all her talent and energy into these next meetings, “Last Sunday’s victory gave us confidence and motivates us even more for the rest of our journey. After winning the French Cup, we hope to obtain the double at the end of the season with the French championship”.
