« I am tattooed, SUA vaccinated«
Serge Gayraud : It was in Pont-du-Casse that I took my first license and that this passion for Rugby was born. I learned the basics of rugby there, then I moved to Agen in juniors. The SUA is my whole life. I learned everything there, whether on a technical or human level. I am tattooed, SUA vaccinated (laughs). There are plenty of memorable memories! But what remains for me is this camaraderie, the friends, and then rubbing shoulders with big names. What struck me the most during my years in blue and white was above all this feeling of belonging to a big family.
Live the experience of a French championship final
S.G. : I was in the SUA group for the 1986 final against Toulouse (16-6 defeat). It was an extraordinary experience! I was barely over 20 at the time… Being at the Parc des Princes for a final was a dream come true. I can say that any young person at the time would have found an excuse to follow the guys to Paris, even if it was to carry the jersey bag (laughs). It was a discovery of the high level, of the strategy, of the men who run a locker room in big moments. That day, I was amazed and learned a lot. This final, even if it did not end as we hoped, taught me a lot about stress management and the need to stay united in the face of adversity.
Landing in Oyonnax, one thing leading to another
S.G. : For various reasons, I left the SUA at the end of this 1986 season. I then played for Valence d'Agen, Montchanin and Bergerac. Unfortunately, my playing career ended earlier than expected due to a neck injury. But I never considered leaving rugby. I completed my coaching qualifications and started coaching at 30. It started with Dijon, in Group A, at a time when professional rugby was taking off. Then, in 1999, Oyonnax offered me an unexpected opportunity. It was a challenge, because the team was in difficulty in Federal 1, but I accepted. I arrived mid-season and we quickly found a balance by relying on the strong identity of the club: fight, solidarity and hard work. It was the start of a great adventure which quickly saw us move up in division.
“The SUA is not at all calm”
S.G. : Friday evening, it will be a competitive match against Oyonnax. Agen is an injured beast after several defeats at home and the team does not look calm. It can be tense, but the important thing will be the state of mind. Agen will have to impose his game from the start to make things difficult for Oyonnax. It will be an intense match.
To beat Oyonnax, what does Agen need?
S.G. : First of all, of great moral value. Because, knowing this club, Oyonnax will remain faithful to its values: a physical game, a spirit of perseverance. In this type of match, the state of mind will make the difference. This is a team that has long been based on combat. They have been able to maintain that, even if today they are capable of developing their game. The first step is not to put the cart before the horse and to take them in front, while remaining calm. Every detail will count, and the commitment must be total. Agen will have to impose a big physical challenge. From the first 15 minutes, Oyonnax must feel that winning at Armandie will be an almost impossible mission. It's a match under pressure for both clubs and, in these moments, it is with character that we come out of it. Now we have to find this character. I dare to hope that Agen will win. Given the team's current confidence, I see a small score.
Seeing his son follow in his footsteps at SUA
S.G. : It’s a source of immense pride. Seeing Valentin perform at a high level in this club, where I grew up myself, is a real joy. He worked hard to get there. Rugby today is much more physically demanding than that of my time, and he has been able to adapt. He has been able to progress in an environment that is today professionally complicated. I feel a lot of pride to see him flourish with the “pros”, and what also touches me is that he will face Oyonnax, where his mother and grandparents are from. The whole family will be there on Friday, and it is a meeting full of symbols. It will be a highlight for all of us. I think he's going to want to have a big match.
Player, coach and now privileged advisor?
S.G. : As a former third line, I share a lot of advice on reading the game, positioning and anticipation. But Valentin also surrounded himself with specialists: mental trainers, athletics coaches to improve his races… He realized that to succeed, you have to invest in all aspects of sport. I'm here to support him, but he has to chart his own path, and that makes me proud. Either way, in the end, it's the law of the land that counts.
The little questionnaire
Some Week : Did a particular player stand out to you at the SUA, during your time as a player, as well as on the current team?
S.G. : Among my ex-teammates, I would say Daniel Dubroca, because he was both the leader of men, he had the intelligence of the game, he ran the locker room and I remember a little anecdote: to my In the beginning, I could never find a seat on the bus. I was getting pushed around a bit here and there and then it was Daniel Dubroca who told me: “Young guy, come here”. So he put me at the back of the bus, against the window and little by little I found my place in the team. He always had me in hand. I learned a lot by watching him work, play, lead men. He's someone who perhaps doesn't know it, but who has left a lot of traces on me. He had charisma, he had everything to build confidence and get the best out of his team.
QH: As for Pont-du-Casse, how is this season shaping up in Fédérale 3? What are your goals?
S.G. : This is our third season in this division. After having fought for two years to maintain, today, what we are aiming for is qualification. It's going relatively well, since we are third in the group. Winter is coming and we know full well that it will be more difficult for us at this time of the season. But we are all confident. I think that this year, we will be able to qualify and go a little further in the season.
QH: Outside of rugby, you also run a family business. Can you tell us about it?
S.G. : The Gayraud company is a family company specializing in exterior thermal insulation, founded by my uncle more than 50 years ago. I took it back 18 years ago. We work on renovation projects and the management of drought-related disasters. Today, we have more than two years of orders in advance, which is rare. This is proof of the trust of our customers and the quality of our know-how. This allows me to manage this company with peace of mind and, at the same time, I continue my work with COP XV.
