La veille de France-Uruguay à Lille, Midi Libre a passé 48 heures dans les valises du président de la Fédération française de rugby, Florian Grill. Un vrai marathon.
La nuit a été courte. Mais l’énergie est intacte. Les idées sont claires pour le rendez-vous de ce matin. 7 h, rendez-vous avec Xavier Bertrand, président des Hauts-de-France. Quelques échanges sur le match de la veille contre l’Uruguay (27-12) avant de rentrer très vite dans le vif du sujet. « J’ai parlé de tous mes sujets. Le rôle citoyen, éducatif et sociétal du rugby, le besoin de former les formateurs, l’action dans les QPV, les zones de revitalisation rurale, ce que le rugby apporte pendant les vacances scolaires… Tout l’intéresse ! » Florian Grill est ravi. Le président de la Fédération française respecte sa feuille de route à la lettre près.
As soon as the interview is over, head to Lille airport. Destination: Toulouse. Local communities and rugby stakeholders on the agenda. Goal: deliver the same persuasive message. The marathon goes on.
Le Havre, anecdotes et Macron
The Montpellier resident easily maintains this frantic pace, and has been doing so since his election three months ago. In fact, it was the first thing we asked him when we met him last Wednesday at Gare du Nord, the day before France-Uruguay. What is the level of fatigue? « I have no idea, it’s not important. I’m enjoying myself, it’s fascinating, » he replied without hesitation.
Départ pour Lille à 15h42. Arrivée, 16h48. Le temps, durant le trajet, de répondre à certains messages, envoyer quelques mails. Et raconter comment il vit son début de Coupe du monde. « J’essaie de profiter des projecteurs de la compétition pour mettre en lumière le rugby amateur. Par exemple, quand les Bleus sont arrivés à Rueil-Malmaison le 3 septembre dernier, j’étais aux 150 ans du club du Havre. Le lendemain, je participais à l’assemblée générale de la Ligue Normandie. »
There are some interesting stories to pick up from his words, especially his exchanges with the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron during France-New Zealand. « In addition to what I had to tell him about our projects, I asked him how he managed to cope. He replied: « A lot of sports. » Maybe I should take more inspiration from that. »
Rugby à cinq et vidéo
I arrived in Lille on time as planned. Thomas Abraham, president of the Hauts-de-France regional commissions, and Claude Codron, a volunteer leader at Lille Métropole Rugby, are there to welcome me. Thomas is playing the role of the driver. We barely have time to drop off our belongings at the hotel before heading to Roubaix. In the car, Florian Grill says, « Have you seen the video circulating of Macron talking about rugby sevens? That’s great! »
Le rugby à cinq, un dérivé du rugby à XV se pratiquant sans contact et mixte, est un des chevaux de bataille du président de la Fédération. « Il ne faut pas oublier qu’on a été créé à l’école. Cet outil du rugby à cinq est l’outil parfait pour installer le rugby et ses valeurs de respect et de solidarité », assure-t-il.
A few hundred meters from the famous city velodrome, the Rugby club Roubaix (Fédérale 3) is inaugurating its new, brand new and equipped complex. Leaders, volunteers, and elected officials are present. Even Gillette, former president and founder of RCR, is there. She is, in fact, the first female president of a rugby club. The local newspaper at the time had titled: « The first female president. »
Le Nord, est-ce vraiment une région peu propice au rugby ?
At this meeting, Sébastien Carrez, president of the Hauts-de-France League, is present. He too has been giving interviews and receiving requests for the past two days. With a World Cup match approaching in Lille, rugby in the north is in the spotlight. And don’t even dare to say that the North is not a rugby land. « We have 65 clubs, 11,500 members. The North is a rugby land! The only drawback is that we don’t have a professional club, so we are not talked about every weekend, » Sébastien assures.
It’s time to go home. In the car, they discuss and debrief. The only non-rugby conversation happens when the phone rings. Thomas’ wife is on the other end, on speakerphone. « Sorry guys, I have to answer this. » Florian Grill, a well-known joker, adds a funny comment that makes everyone in the car laugh.
20h15. Fin du marathon de la journée. Rendez-vous le lendemain, 10 h, à l’hôtel.
Le coup de la cravate
After having breakfast with the president of Marcq-en-Baroeul (National 2), two additional interviews are added for the president of the FFR. In the meantime, we have the opportunity to talk to gendarmes on patrol, stationed in front of the hotel. « We have heard from colleagues working in Saint-Etienne. Every football match of ASSE results in €100,000 worth of damages. However, when the French national rugby team came to play in early August, there were no damages! » exclaims one of them.
Florian Grill eventually arrives next to Sébastien Carrez. « Don’t you have a tie, Florian? You should still go get one, » Sébastien advises. « You think so? » With big strides and three minutes later, Florian Grill returns with the accessory around his neck. « That was a joke, by the way. You won’t need it, » Sébastien laughs. A well-timed joke to set a good mood.
First step of the day, the scientific city of Villeneuve-d’Ascq for an international conference, just a stone’s throw away from the French national team, who have gone for a retreat. The topic of the day: « Disability and inclusion in rugby: utopia or reality? » The room is almost full. The topic resonates. Florian Grill answers the audience’s questions, including one from Kevin, a 17-year-old with intellectual disabilities, whose heart is as big as a rugby ball. « Thank you for what you do for us. We feel like we exist, » he says, amidst applause.
Second step, downtown. After a quick lunch at a downtown restaurant – salad for (almost) everyone – we head to the main square. At exactly 2 pm, the rugby village is inaugurated alongside Mayor Martine Aubry. Some passes (not all perfectly executed, we admit) are exchanged on the synthetic field of the village. To the delight of the Federation’s president, a visit to Maison Benoît, a rugby-themed artisan chocolatier. « I tasted everything they offered me, » he smiles.
Politique
Selfies, présentation du trophée Webb-Ellis, salutations imprévues avec les deux géants Michel Tachdjian et Patrick Serrière, anciennes gloires du Racing 92, animent cet après-midi sous le cagnard lillois. Une fanfare les accompagne tout du long. « C’est le rugby, c’est la fête. On est fiers que Lille accueille l’Ovalie. Mais on n’oublie pas que la guerre est à nos portes et la catastrophe au Maroc », glisse Mme Aubry.
It is 3:45 PM. It is time to go back to the hotel. In 45 minutes, there is a meeting with Bill Beaumont, the president of World Rugby. Florian Grill takes the ten-minute car ride to close his eyes and listen to « L’Aziza » in the background. It is enough to feel refreshed and start the conversation with Bill Beaumont. The topic, among others, is how the Federation can contribute to the development of international rugby.
17h45. Départ pour Pierre-Mauroy au côté du président de World Rugby. Le programme ? « C’est un rôle très politique. L’objectif de ce moment est de rencontrer les différents élus locaux, réexpliquer le rôle de la Fédération à missions. Je n’y vais pas pour boire des verres et juste voir le match », explique-t-il.
Sitting alongside Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castera, positioned just behind President Emmanuel Macron, Florian Grill witnesses the less than impressive performance of the French team. The players’ mission is not fully accomplished in Lille. However, Florian Grill’s mission is underway.
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