2023-09-27 19:03:02
When Cameron Woki steps onto the pitch at the Stade de France, he is truly playing at home. The second row of the Blues was born in Saint-Denis and wore the colors of AC Bobigny 93 Rugby. With Sekou Macalou, originally from Sarcelles (Val-d’Oise), and Jonathan Danty, a Parisian with West Indian roots, the player from Seine-Saint-Denis embodies the rugby of the suburbs and working-class neighborhoods of the region within the French XV Parisian.
All internationals over the last ten years, Demba Bamba, Yacouba Camara, Judicaël Cancoriet, Mathieu Bastareaud and Rabah Slimani also come from this Ile-de-France sector. Likewise, the French women’s XV saw Coumba Diallo, Madoussou Fall, Yllanna Brosseau and Julie Annery join its ranks. Brought down to a total of 35,000 members of the Île-de-France Rugby League (LIFR), this contribution is not negligible.
The “24 clubs, 24 QPV/ZRR” program
Compared to the 12 million inhabitants of Île-de-France, the weight of this territory nevertheless remains more limited. Nothing to do with football, the region of which is a much more important talent pool for Didier Deschamps’ Blues. “Initially, rugby came from the rather wealthy classes while football was a popular sport at the grassroots, recalls Brice Moreau, instructor at Olympic Rugby in Pantin. This explains the delay in the establishment of rugby culture in these neighborhoods. »
This establishment is the result of work in schools and the action of clubs installed as close as possible to building blocks. Sometimes, it is driven by the passion of provincials “mounted” South of France. “There are preconceived ideas that must be put to restunderlines Pierre Sallenave, vice-president of the LIFR, where he is responsible for the citizenship center. There are places where we are told, “rugby is an elite sport”, or even “a white sport”. »
In 2020, the Ligue Île-de-France wanted to structure this development by launching the “24 clubs, 24 QPV” program. (priority districts of city policy)/ZRR (rural revitalization zones) “. Twenty-four territorial sports facilitators were hired and trained to be made available to as many clubs which responded to the call for projects, in order to help them attract a new audience.
Intervene over time
A budget of €700,000 was released for the first season, in 2021-2022, an investment renewed thereafter. “It is only over time that we can intervene in a neighborhood, continues Pierre Sallenave. You have to make yourself known and learn to work there, by building partnerships with other actors. » Funds were provided by the State and local authorities, but also by private patrons.
???? Playing at the foot of a building: the success of Rugby Olympique Pantin!
The ROP makes rugby accessible for everyone in the Priority Districts of the City (QPV).
✨Strengthening the values of the rugby club is a major challenge.https://t.co/iTLwaPYDOM— Ligue IDF Rugby (@LIFRugby) September 14, 2023
Social landlords have also been involved, in particular because they can provide spaces at the foot of the towers. “There are forms of practice adapted to all types of surfaces, insists Brice Moreau, whose club is associated with the program. You can play in a park, on a concrete slab, in a gymnasium and even without a ball, as long as you know how to do it and respect certain safety rules. »
400 new members via this system
At the end of the first season, 400 new members arrived in Ile-de-France clubs via this system according to the LIFR, including 45% girls. While the League brings together 35,000 members, the objective is more ambitious. “It is to increase the number of League licensees by several thousand”, says Pierre Sallenave,
For him, a rugby club aims to be “a second family”. “From the moment a child signs a license, we can provide them with all the benefits of a family’s support for its members, he continues. Offer him the pleasure of playing with others, but also help him with his homework, keep him busy during vacations and after-school time, help him find employment later…” And why not allow him, one day, to set foot on the pitch at the Stade de France.
#program #priority #neighborhoods #ÎledeFrance