6:14 p.m. – September 29, 2023
Jérôme Gallo, here during the Rugby World Cup alongside Ana, his partner (© Nicolas Goisque).
Speaker of ASM and AS Saint-Étienne, Jérôme Gallo sets the mood for matches and announces the team compositions in the Chaudron and in Lyon during the Rugby World Cup. A unique adventure.
Jérôme, is this the first time that you have officiated for a Rugby World Cup?
Among the big guys, yes, because I did the Under-20 World Cup in Béziers in 2018 when the Bleuets were world champions (With Woki, Ntamack…). But there, being a speaker on 9 matches of the 2023 World Cup in Lyon and Saint-Étienne, which I know well, is a joy (Jérôme is from Stéphanois and speaker of ASSE Editor’s note). But it’s very intense and we attacked in the heat with an Italy-Namibia at 1 p.m. the first weekend. It’s complicated to entertain empty stands because the spectators remained in the shade… We had to get up at 6 o’clock to rehearse with Anna Belyaeva, my partner. The luck we have is that we have a lot of freedom. There are texts imposed with the sponsors of course but on the entertainment of the stadium and to enthuse the public it is very easy. I feel like I’m in Michelin! Whereas for Euro 2016 football, we didn’t move an ear, we couldn’t go out of the box. Anna is used to major sporting events. She speaks six languages, she’s great, she’s great! In Lyon, I am with the announcer of Olympique Lyonnais, in his stadium, me the enemy, it’s funny.
There were a few small controversies at the beginning but everything has been okay since then?
The worries did not affect us. The stadiums are almost full, for Australia-Fiji, the atmosphere was crazy, we had the impression that the French XV were playing, the organization and the rehearsals at the edge of the pitch are going very well and World Rugby is very discreet. We appreciate the hymns even more with the addition of music. The association between the children’s choirs and the music is great. France 2023 was very responsive. Besides that, I am very happy to be able to see current ASM players like Fritz Lee or past players like Julien Bonnaire or Mike Tadjer.
How do you become a speaker?
A bit by chance. In 2002, I had the opportunity to replace a host friend at NRJ who could not do an AS Saint-Étienne match on a Monday evening for Ligue 2. I said yes then we hosted the matches together. Then I started at ASM in 2007 and at Clermont-Foot 63 from 2016 to 2022. Originally from Saint-Etienne, I was adopted by all the Auvergnats. I like to have fun saying that after my arrival, ASSE moved up to Ligue 1, that ASM was champion of France and that Clermont Foot moved up to Ligue 1.
And since then you have brought together the speakers into an organization?
I am founding president of the Association of Speakers and Masters of Ceremonies (ASMC). We have 75 in the association and 45 applications have been sent for France 2023. We have 16 speakers at this world. We also work in businesses. I have the best in football, rugby, handball and volleyball with Olivier Duroir who is a speaker with the Panthères de Chamalières.
Did it all start from ASM?
If I make the World Cup, it’s thanks to ASM, my club, and to the rugby people who know me and appreciate my work. Without the ASM, I would not be at the World Cup. I owe it to the club and its supporters because without a great crowd, you can’t set the mood. I have done more than 20 years of ASSE and 18 years of ASM. When I stop, I will be able to say that I was very lucky to be a speaker for the best supporters in France.
In complicated times, is it hard to be a speaker?
I don’t force things. At Michelin, it’s the Ultras Vulcans, the Mordus or the Arvernes who start the chants. If I take it back a little it is so that it takes place more quickly. They set the fire without me. We must not force things, when the public does not want it, they do not want it. Especially when the match isn’t great. I am proud to represent the club and the region, even more so in Lyon.
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