French Clubs’ Apathy

[Gomersall]

After complaining about the lack of consultation and communication from the FFRXIII the clubs respond in kind and Luc Lacoste isn’t happy.

https://treizemondial.fr/les-etats-generaux-boudes-luc-lacoste-ecrit-aux-presidents-de-clubs/

Luc Lacoste's letter:

Ladies and gentlemen,
On January 3, 2023, despite several reminders from the administrative management, then directly from the Secretary General of the Federation, I note that many Clubs have not registered with the States General which will be held on January 21 (all day) and on January 22 (morning), in Carcassonne.

I thank of course those who did it. To others, I would like to express my misunderstanding or even my disappointment. However, these States General seem to me to meet an expectation. We tried to organize them a year and a half ago, but the sanitary conditions of the time had prevented their wear.
Many Clubs often complain about a lack of consultation, communication and consultation. I heard them and so we decided, 4 months ago, to organize these States General for them - for all of you. Beyond the fact that it is difficult for us to effectively organize these States General without visibility on what participation will ultimately be, you will understand my disappointment at this contradiction: how to hear your regrets and criticism when you do not respond to the invitation to come and express yourself and bring your ideas? How to give you the floor if you don't take the opportunity when we do it? How to advance a collective project, in the general interest, if you do not want to participate in the movement?

Because a project is never done alone, in its corner.

Continuing my desire to straighten up French rugby XIII will not happen without you. The Steering Committee can, of course, make decisions, without consulting all the Clubs. But for us, today, it is about involving everyone in a common approach and actions, so alone, we will not be able to do it... Your adherence to our projects, your involvement, your ideas, the expression of the difficulties you encounter, are really necessary for us. So, even if it's not simple (but nothing is simple for anyone), I ask you: really make the effort to come or be represented. We designed this weekend of shared reflection so that everyone can make their voice heard and contribute. So that everyone can express themselves easily, participants will be divided into round tables with a staff limited to about twenty people, who will all work on the dozen themes selected, all of which affect the life of the Clubs. And on Saturday evening, a dinner will bring us together, where informal exchanges can continue in a moment of great conviviality, around a dinner and animation, before a restitution of the work of each round table, on Sunday morning, in plenary session. And everyone will be free at noon. From the richness of the debates of each round table, restored on Sunday, will emerge real lines of strength that will allow us to prioritize them later and implement many of them, with a single objective shared by all: the renewal of French rugby XIII.

Really, and I am frankly sorry to have to write these few words today, your participation is important, your voice is important, and it is during these States General that you will be able to make it heard.

I remind you that to register you just have to return the commitment form received, and you now have until Friday, January 6 to do so.
Hoping that you will understand the meaning of this call, in view of the challenge for our common future, I thank you in advance for making this small effort that I think is so useful for your sport that you say you love so much.

Thank you for your understanding.
Very friendly,
Luc Lacoste,

[The Rocket]

On 05/01/2023 at 23:39, Gomersall said:

After complaining about the lack of consultation and communication from the FFRXIII the clubs respond in kind and Luc Lacoste isn’t happy.

https://treizemondial.fr/les-etats-generaux-boudes-luc-lacoste-ecrit-aux-presidents-de-clubs/

Luc Lacoste's letter:

Ladies and gentlemen,
On January 3, 2023, despite several reminders from the administrative management, then directly from the Secretary General of the Federation, I note that many Clubs have not registered with the States General which will be held on January 21 (all day) and on January 22 (morning), in Carcassonne.

I thank of course those who did it. To others, I would like to express my misunderstanding or even my disappointment. However, these States General seem to me to meet an expectation. We tried to organize them a year and a half ago, but the sanitary conditions of the time had prevented their wear.
Many Clubs often complain about a lack of consultation, communication and consultation. I heard them and so we decided, 4 months ago, to organize these States General for them - for all of you. Beyond the fact that it is difficult for us to effectively organize these States General without visibility on what participation will ultimately be, you will understand my disappointment at this contradiction: how to hear your regrets and criticism when you do not respond to the invitation to come and express yourself and bring your ideas? How to give you the floor if you don't take the opportunity when we do it? How to advance a collective project, in the general interest, if you do not want to participate in the movement?

Because a project is never done alone, in its corner.

Continuing my desire to straighten up French rugby XIII will not happen without you. The Steering Committee can, of course, make decisions, without consulting all the Clubs. But for us, today, it is about involving everyone in a common approach and actions, so alone, we will not be able to do it... Your adherence to our projects, your involvement, your ideas, the expression of the difficulties you encounter, are really necessary for us. So, even if it's not simple (but nothing is simple for anyone), I ask you: really make the effort to come or be represented. We designed this weekend of shared reflection so that everyone can make their voice heard and contribute. So that everyone can express themselves easily, participants will be divided into round tables with a staff limited to about twenty people, who will all work on the dozen themes selected, all of which affect the life of the Clubs. And on Saturday evening, a dinner will bring us together, where informal exchanges can continue in a moment of great conviviality, around a dinner and animation, before a restitution of the work of each round table, on Sunday morning, in plenary session. And everyone will be free at noon. From the richness of the debates of each round table, restored on Sunday, will emerge real lines of strength that will allow us to prioritize them later and implement many of them, with a single objective shared by all: the renewal of French rugby XIII.

Really, and I am frankly sorry to have to write these few words today, your participation is important, your voice is important, and it is during these States General that you will be able to make it heard.

I remind you that to register you just have to return the commitment form received, and you now have until Friday, January 6 to do so.
Hoping that you will understand the meaning of this call, in view of the challenge for our common future, I thank you in advance for making this small effort that I think is so useful for your sport that you say you love so much.

Thank you for your understanding.
Very friendly,
Luc Lacoste,

Disappointing to say the least and makes me wonder about the accuracy of this article I copied out of the Gaurdian who are positively upbeat about the prospects of French Rugby League.

Why rugby league fans across the world should follow France’s top tier | Rugby league | The Guardian

One quote :

" These famous players are not earning the money they did in Super League but, with crowds around the 1,000 mark at most Elite 1 games, who is subsidising their wages? The usual suspects – wealthy owners and sponsors – plus generous state benefits and the traditional source of finance for French clubs: local government. “Money is at the root of it all,” says local sports journalist Steve Brady of the renaissance. “Elite 1 seems to be awash with it. There’s a financial sense of confidence, which is all the more remarkable following Covid.”

" Is this wave of spending down to a few excitable, ambitious clubs or is it the sign of new life in the French domestic game? “I believe it’s due to the rumoured financial windfall the game is expecting from the 2025 World Cup,” says Brady. “I understand government funding will be very generous, allowing more of a torrent than a trickle down into the French championship."

Be very interested what some our resident French Rugby League experts @ATLANTISMAN@barnyiaet.al. make of this dichotomy.

[ATLANTISMAN]

Hi Rocketman,

Well I aim to be at the meeting:)

The reality is (Outside of the Dragons/Toulouse) the only way forward for the game IMHO (As England) is to grow the England and France international brand

And as for wealthy French owners at Elite 1 (Or any level) forget it the money is as always from the Marie.

Paul

[gingerjon]

So this meeting is going on this weekend?

[Pen-Y-Bont Crusader]

I’ve seen posts elsewhere that the attendance at the congress was good.

[Gomersall]

https://www.ffr13.fr/etats-generaux-les-temps-forts-du-week-end/
The highlight of the beginning of 2023, the States General of Rugby XIII took place this Saturday and Sunday at the Lycée Paul Sabatier in Carcassonne. Project yourself on the years to come. This is the philosophy breathed in through this gathering. Open the debate on topics supported by clubs, committees and leagues.

After the traditional friendly breakfast, the delegates went to the amphitheatre to open these two days of reflection and joint work. President Luc Lacoste and Dominque Baloup, Secretary General of the Federation, recalled the main lines of the federal project and discussed the nine themes that will be discussed during the workshops.

Jointly led by the elected officials & employees of the FFR XIII, the round tables were animated throughout the day. Leaders, executives and federal representatives gave the tempo of a very busy Saturday because the subjects were so important. Management, Mutations, Volunteering, everything has been reviewed to project itself on the coming seasons and advance our discipline.

The 9 themes of the general states:

• Increase in the number of young graduates (Rugby Schools, U15, U17 and U19)
• Volunteering: challenges and future
• Management of Championships and calendars
• Changes: issues, regulations, training allowances
• Decentralization issue and relations Federation / Leagues / Committees / Clubs
• Federal Commissions: arbitration, delegates, youth, women, national and federal divisions
• Relations with the LER and professional clubs
• Internal communication, relations with Headquarters and social networks
• World Cup 2025

This beautiful rugby meeting ended on Saturday with a reception at the Hôtel de la Cité de Carcassonne where the club leaders were awarded the rewards for their initiatives. On Sunday morning, the participants met to return it in plenary session the conclusions of the round tables synthesized the day before. All the actors left with the conviction that much work remains to be done and that efforts to advance our sport will have to be maintained, especially with a view to the 2025 World Cup in our country.