The Rugby World Cup in France could well bring new momentum to registrations in amateur clubs. In our region, the offer of structures for playing with the oval ball is disparate depending on the departments.
53 clubs, 7,700 licensees. This is the quantitative picture of rugby in Normandy at the dawn of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
In mainland France, our region is one of those with the fewest rugby structures, neck and neck with the Pays de la Loire (55) and the Grand-Est (59), territories which are however more populated. In short, Normandy is average for the regions above the Loire.
“We are on a dynamic of one club created per year“, explains Sandrine Romagné, president of the Normandy Rugby League. Recent years have seen the creation of the RC Pays de Falaise (14) a you Stade Valeriquais Rugby in Saint-Valéry-en-Caux (76), as well as the rebirth of Racing Club Port du Havre (76), who has just returned to service after two years of dormancy.
It is precisely in Seine-Maritime that the practice of oval ball sport is most widespread. Nearly half of the region’s clubs are located there, including the two standard-bearers, Rouen Normandie Rugby in men, and Valkyries Normandie Rugby Club feminine side.
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With 11 structures, Eure comes in second position, ahead of Calvados (9), Manche (7), and finally Orne (5). “There are clubs which merge to allow young licensees to continue playing, this is the case of Flers and Vire. explains Sandrine Romagné, who hopes that the national increase in the number of licensees will benefit clubs in the coming years.
It has been on the rise since the end of Covid. We were one of the only sports to be able to continue practicing. And then the French team has returned to a top level in recent years, whether for the men or for the girls. There is also greater media coverage. All this helps to give new impetus to the practice.
Sandrine Romagné, president of the Normandy Rugby League
The federation has also adapted, in particular by offering CROSS rugby: the possibility of adapting to the number of players present and therefore playing 5 against 5, 6 against 6, or 7 against 7.
When you watch Rugby World Cup matches with a novice’s eye, the contacts can seem impressive, even dangerous. However, you should know that the hardness of the contacts at the professional level is not really found on amateur fields.
“There is contact, of course, but it’s not the same rules as on TVplays down Sandrine Romagné. In practice, we tackle at waist level, and lots of rules are put in place so that the player does not get injured.“.
Among them, a “front player” passport for those over 14 years old, knowing that scrum pushes are not authorized before 16 years old. Here again, there are mandatory tests before finding yourself in these more physical situations. Some clubs offer children the opportunity to start rugby from the age of three.
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