“If someone had told me that I would attend a haka here! » In this period of return, it floats among the inhabitants of Pontlevoy (Loir-et-Cher), an unusual perfume. And for good reason, 40 sevens rugby teams from all over the world have established themselves in this city of 1,500 inhabitants, for the first edition of the Heritage Cup, the under-15 school world championship, organized from September 1 to 7.
If in France, all eyes are on the opening match of the 2023 world rugby union between France and New Zealand (September 8 at the Stade de France), the Pontlevoy event still attracts curious. “Where do they come from? Looks like Argentina”, asks a resident of the region. Missed, it is Australia, whose members of Iona College in Brisbane exchange a few balls as a warm-up.
Oval values
At the foot of the majestic Pontlevoy Abbey, tongues loosen, nationalities mingle. Shy at the start, the young men and young women, since the tournament is mixed, talk in broken English. Fortunately, sport is a universal language. Former glories of the oval, like the French Philippe Sella or the South African Francois Pienaar wander among them, providing some advice.
Thierry Chenet, president of Heritage Pontlevoy, at the origin of the tournament, savors the moment. Two hundred years after the invention of rugby, the bet he launched is on the way to succeed. “Legend has it that rugby was born at Rugby College in England in 1823, where a pupil named William Webb Ellis ran with the ball in his arms during a game of football, says the inexhaustible enthusiast. He had to score with his hands, while avoiding that others stop him. It worked right away. »
William Webb Ellis created a discipline in which to find solutions and be creative“you have to bet on your teammates, unlike perhaps in football where you can distinguish yourself alone”, explains Thierry Chenet. Gradually, rugby has surrounded itself with values that the leader likes to remember. “With rugby, you develop a sense of responsibility, a sense of teamwork, respect for your comrade and discipline. » With the professionalization of the discipline, “perhaps some values have been lost a bithe confesses. The interest of this tournament is also to remedy it at an age where we forge ourselves for later. »
Discovery of cultures
The organizer is also keen to make the Heritage Cup a place to promote different cultures. During the week, the young students will visit the Château de Chambord, taste French gastronomy, before getting down to making the most famous of French breads: the traditional baguette.
In the alleys that litter the garden of the abbey, where the playgrounds have been erected, the cleanliness of the place calls out. “You won’t find a plastic bottle, everyone came with their water bottle”, warns Thierry Chenet. Beyond the symbolic gesture, the organizers wanted to emphasize the climate issue, taking advantage of the experience of each team present. “Tongians bear witness to climate-related issues. They are very concerned and will be able to talk about it in front of other nations. » A student confirms “It’s the first big trip of my life and I’m happy to talk about my country and its situation. »
Inclusion as a spearhead
The tour of the property ends with a visit to a unique-looking workshop. The lawn has given way to concrete. And for good reason, a wheelchair rugby training session is held here, led by the charismatic Wally Salvan. The president of Wheelchair Sevens International Board, an association that campaigns for the practice of wheelchair rugby, gives instructions to students who have come to test the discipline, but who do not yet show any apparent handicap.
“When I write the rules for the game of wheelchair rugby sevens, I write a rule so that everyone is able to follow it, valid and invalid”, explains this denier. In a frank speech, the speaker explains: “We don’t give a damn about who sits in them, we can compare the chairs to bumper cars and we won’t be able to know, at the start of the match, who is disabled or not. »
A workshop allows able-bodied people to test rugby 7 in a wheelchair. / Benjamin Bousquet
Judging by the result, even the most experienced are surprised at the intensity of the discipline. “We leave rinsed”recognizes a French high school student, after having taken part in the exercise. “Very quickly, when you get caught up in the exercise, you completely forget about the issue of disability. » Successful objective for his instructor of the day, Wally Salvan: “I call it co-inclusion. The able-bodied young athletes of today who try their hand at wheelchair rugby will be the business leaders and managers of tomorrow. For more inclusion in the years to come, this kind of experience is foundational. »
Through all the young athletes gathered for a week, the 200 volunteers of the Heritage Cup wish to shed light on a calmer rugby, more inclined to seduce parents who would consider the discipline too dangerous. “We will not prevent rugby union from remaining a combat sport, but we must explain to parents that other forms exist”, insists Thierry Chenet. Every four years, at the end of a Rugby World Cup, France sees a renewed interest in the discipline. On the other hand, the years that followed remain more contrasted. “Having this reflection on sport at school could help boost this sport”believes the leader.
