All together !

“This is what is exceptional about the Rugby Heritage Cup: it shows that there is no need to be passionate about rugby or to play it in order to benefit from its educational qualities. In this sport, the ultimate in terms of a collective, it is the team as a whole that scores the try. Its members protect each other. The referee and the “other side” are respected. So many inspiring values beyond the field of play.

Our pupils at Pontlevoy are used to keeping in contact with schools in other countries (China, the Netherlands, Spain, Finland, etc.) But this time they will be welcoming young people from the whole world! WELCOME will therefore be at the heart of the event. A chance to reflect on who we are in order to be able to share it and to be ready to learn from others. 

A time for exchange, discovery and friendship between schools, between young people: rugby and the Rugby Heritage Cup create a marvellous pretext.”

Vincent Le Flohic, head of secondary at Le Prieuré and of the catholic school of Pontlevoy

5 continents, 44 teams

and a shared DNA

Among those schools coming to Pontlevoy, a significant number will be coming from countries that have been selected for the 2023 World Cup. We will also be welcoming schools from other countries that share the same values and the same messages as those carried by the Rugby Heritage Cup :

• Have fun playing rugby;
• Find out more about yourself and others;
• Give a place to everyone in their uniqueness;
• Gain confidence in yourself, your partners and even in your opponents;
• Develop a taste for getting to know people, situations, etc.
• Share what you know and transmit what you have learnt.

The delegations

Where all started

Mike Bayly, Director of Rugby at Rugby School answers our questions

As we all know, the game of rugby was born inside your college in 1823. 

What is the footprint this game is fostering in your school ?

Firmly holding on to our heritage and inspired by William Webb Ellis (in showing a fine disregard for the rules of Football), we are restless to challenge Rugby with innovation and vigor, playing a fast-paced, highly skilled, support-based attacking game with uncompromising defence. Our vision also speaks of being ‘restless’, something we encourage among all students. Rugby School has never been about being passive or simply achieving academic excellence by rote learning, but rather about exploring new things

How do you see the evolution of the game and the practice of it inside your school for the last years ?

Our vision references the style of game we’d like to play. Like William Webb Ellis, we strive for innovation, not simply aping what others do. Yet we also recognise that to be innovative and succeed we will need speed, skill and a commitment to attack and defend.

Knowing our vision and our playing style is one thing, but as important is our motivation and approach before we even run out on to the pitch. We call these our seven core values, with ‘love for the game through enjoyment and responsible involvement’ being top of the list.

You’ll have both a girl rugby team and a boy team for the RHC. What is the symbol that you see with this ?

I hope that by 2123 the world thinks of rugby as a sport that transcends background, gender, race, religion, and other strands of diversity. It is already a global sport, but if it could also be one that embraces, encourages, and supports everyone who wants to play, coach or watch, that would, I believe, be a 300th birthday worth celebrating.

The Makis team will represent the 1400 young people of the EDO (Enfants
de l’Ovale).

Founded by Philippe Sella, France’s team Iconic player this association relies on rugby and its values ​​to help underprivileged children to flourish in France and in 7 African countries, Madagascar included.
Magnificent, this island is also one of the poorest countries in the world. In Antananarivo, its capital, the EDOs have 3 centers where 300 girls and boys aged 8 to 15 meet on Wednesdays, Saturdays and during the holidays. In these bubbles of serenity, they play rugby, benefit from school support, medical monitoring and share a real meal. The Makis may not be the most muscular or experienced, but these 12 proud
teammates are determined to do their best to uphold the values ​​of rugby and enjoy every second of the Rugby Heritage Cup, because then they will share their unique experience with their friends who remained in their country.

Extraordinary luck!

This is how Lalaina Ranaivoson, head of the delegation, describes their participation in this first tournament of School Rugby. “They will take the plane, discover France, meet children of all nations, play, learn… learn so much! »

Be prepared !

For the first time, the Makis no longer train barefoot but play with shoes and mouth guards, because in Pontlevoy, all the teams will have them. “Having a kit of sports and city clothes may be commonplace for many children, but for them it is exceptional,” insists Lalaina. We are also strengthening French lessons, to reduce the language barrier and so that they can discuss with others, understand instructions, etc. »

Rugby: a field to grow on, in Africa too !

A crush on Shamas ! Committed to disadvantaged young Kenyans, this organisation is at the forefront of promoting rugby, health, education, diversity, nutrition and the awareness for climate change. The organising committee couldn’t miss to invite them to the Rugby Heritage Cup.

Did you know ?

Rugby 7s is the most-played group sport in Kenya. In 2009, the country reached the semi-finals of this sport’s World Cup. Opening up the sport to severely disadvantaged children is a challenge that was taken up in 2010 by the Shamas Rugby Foundation. Modestly at the outset, with a handful of children from an underprivileged neighbourhood in Nairobi playing rugby and sharing refreshments, the organisation now has more than 2000 beneficiaries (boys and girls), 37 trainers (13 of which are women), on 7 sites. A great success: 3 SHAMAS alumni have joined the Kenya national rugby sevens team.

Rugby and education to build a future 

Weakened by the difficulties associated with poverty, all of these young people come from the slums (Nairobi and Kibera) and rural areas.  SHAMAS uses rugby as an opportunity to allow them to grow, both on the pitch and off. It is about enabling them to become balanced young men and women by developing their skills, their self-confidence, through sport, education and training. Without forgetting the strengthening of their links with their communities. In a nutshell: offering them a future so that they can help support Africa as its changes.

And the Rugby Heritage Cup in all this ?

Over and above the ambition to have children play rugby, having being invited by the RHC those in charge of SHAMAS are eager to forge strong and lasting links with schools in France and around the world. Because as they say: rugby and education are a winning combination. This enthusiasm is shared by Humphrey Kayange, chemist and Kenyan rugby star, who actively supports the project side by side with the foundation.

Ashalayam, rugby where it’s least expected !

At Ashalayam , one of the associations that has been invited, Rugby has taken on a significance that was unexpected unhoped-for and, above all, exemplary.

It all began in Calcutta, 35 years ago. Around the station thousands of children without a home, lost, abandoned, faced with the dangers of living on the streets. The Ashalayam organisation takes them under its wing. It houses them, feeds them, sends them to school.They have to forget street life, live in a community and catch up with their schoolwork with the help of a bridging school put into place by Ashalayam.

And where does rugby come in ?

“Sport has always been an important part of the organisation’s teaching project, explains Christophe Plais, a volunteer at Ashalayam. “ Quite unknown in India, rugby came into it when I joined in 2000.”

This sport helps them to channel their energy and keep calm, to follow both the rules of engagement and the referee’s decisions… 

Played under difficult conditions, rugby brings out the most motivated. Solidarity, trust between teammates: rugby shows that you can’t win on your own. Running, falling, getting back up, learning technique and strategy, all of this contributes to their physical and intellectual development. 

“Some of our former pupils have joined the Indian national rugby team. What a  motivation, a role models for these children! The perspectives are even greater for girls because yes, since 2010, thanks to the Jungle Crows, rugby is mixed at Ashalayam.”