The new president of Tygre, Laurent Brach, confirms the difficulty of growing rugby in the Grand Est. And if he believes moderately in a World Cup effect, he has faith in other tracks.
Vincent Trimbour – Today at 06:00
Rugby grows in the Grand Est about as well as palm trees. Not impossible, but not the best soil. And that, Laurent Brach knows it. He who fell in love with the oval at 15 and has just taken over the presidency of Tygre (Thionville Yutz Generation RE) confirms: “It’s complicated with us. There is no rugby culture, neither among decision-makers nor in schools nor among elected officials “And to ensure that the subsidies for his club of 220 licensees are not up to those for clubs with less than members but practicing football or handball. “And we, when we travel, it’s 40! »
Of course, this Yussois, passed by the clubs of Yutz (until 2003), Metz, Hayange, Florence (Italy) then Yutz since last year as sports director, could bet on an expected World Cup effect. But it does not ignite. “In 2007, there had been real consequences, with an increase of 25% – in fact, 50% at the start of the year, but the structures in Metz at the time could not accommodate everyone. There, i dont know. It would really be necessary for the Fifteen tricolor to make a good run and go at least to the quarter-finals ”
For him, rugby is losing momentum in a more global way, more in tune with the values linked to this sport. “I found myself faced with parents who all saw their sons as Duponts, did not want to see them selected in the Regional when it was their level! We have a society that is individualized and only reasons through performance. Rugby is about collective values, but we are at a time when people want à la carte sport. Just look at the success of gyms. Me, young, I came to train even when I didn’t want to, so that the friends were complete “
Solutions anyway
In Moselle, he saw this conviction materialize with the agreements. “I am against this principle. And we don’t have any more – only for women, with Metz, otherwise it was unplayable. But our agreement with RC Metz Moselle and the clubs of Saint-Avold and Forbach did not prevent the second junior team from being forfeited after three matches and the second junior team forfeited for the quarterfinals of the Grand Est championship! »
Laurent Brach does not paint a black picture, but a beautiful dark gray. However, rugby is not dead. And to fatalism, he prefers challenges. “We were 220 members last season, and the number is maintained this year” and this, despite the departure of 37 seniors who go from 77 to 40. Departures due to reaching the age limit (“we had players aged 44 or 47!”) and the fact that the new president intends to impose a certain rigor which may not please everyone. Numerical compensation is done through baby rugby, touched rugby and reinforcement in the U14s. Youth, an essential pickaxe for creating junior and then senior teams: “People forget that before making the Elite, you have to know how to make the mass. And do not put aside the kids who have an average level, because a few years later they can become very good! “The coaches” will go from 11 to 32” and, other suggestions: “Stop the bickering between clubs and take inspiration from our Alsatian neighbors. They, too, play rugby in the East. But in 20 years, by restructuring everything, Illkirch went from the Promotion d’Honneur to the Federal! »
#Rugby #ThionvilleYutz #model #revival
