The President made the point
On the occasion of an exclusive interview he granted us, the President of the FFR XIII LARRAT Nicolas, is a new item on television, the elite of French rugby league, not to mention the team France and the next world cup 2013. Everything you need to know is told.
President, first of all, the new Secretary General of the FFR XIII?
He is certainly right that you asked because I know many are worried treizistes and Herve is our Secretary General, that is to say a key figure of French rugby league. We were all deeply shocked by his sudden hospitalization and foremost we have a special thought for very warm and his wife Claudette, her children, her grandchildren, her family living a trial so unfair and difficult. It is not for me here, and I care not, to discuss publicly the health of a friend to me, which is so dear. The only thing I allow myself to say is that Hervé fights like he always did, without letting go, and we all miss him greatly. You know Hervé is a key player in our federation. Its availability, skills, experience, foresight, his great modesty, his kindness, his friendship fail us more each day. So yes, we pray for every moment he should win the fight he is waging and come back with us soon. And it will happen. We still have so much to do together, we have so many projects to be undertaken, we have so many emotions and special moments to share.
President, a few weeks ago, the announcement was made of the arrival of Al Jazeera Sport as presenter of the Super League, what can you tell us?
It is certain that the official announcement made by Charles Bietry concerning the broadcast on Al Jazeera Sport Future of SUPER LEAGUE English but also the Australian National Rugby League will allow maximum exposure for professional rugby league international. The two major championships around the globe are now more widely available and is of course very good news. But even more, which I think is most important is that we have in the person of Charles Bietry a true connoisseur of the sport, someone who has always enjoyed rugby league and has always worked primarily in the defend. Charles Bietry was to support the project of France Rugby League, Paris Saint Germain and Rugby League. Charles BIERTY will perfectly enhance the SUPER LEAGUE and the NRL and this is what is essential. All the work has been done behind the scenes in recent months has paid off and all those hours spent in defending the Rugby League in all its components have not been in vain. We must therefore welcome this excellent news which is primarily the result of a remarkable collaboration between the Rugby Football League, the French Federation of Rugby League and their common agent, the company IMG.
Charles Bietry also mentioned his interest in the XIII of France, what is it exactly?
In this context, it is normal for the future Al Jazeera Sport expresses interest in the XIII of France which is a showcase of French rugby league. World Cup 2013 also advanced his nose and the competition promises to be a major sporting event at the international level. So of course, discussions are ongoing and a work meeting be held soon to discuss this prospect. For now, this is to remember and confidentiality must be essential. I shall say no more.
Among the good news also, you have announced the release of the final championship of France on France 3 South, like last season.
Yes, I discussed several weeks ago with the direction of Sports France Television for this purpose. As the 2011 final, the 2012 championship final in France will have again the honor of public service. This is also another satisfaction since it will be the third meeting which will be broadcast live on France 3 Sud in one year. Relations that are established gradually between the Federation and France Television are relationships of trust, professionalism and always constructive. The French rugby league appears each time more as a credible interlocutor who can meet its commitments around the activation events that we organize. And that could very quickly open up new perspectives.
This forwarding of the next championship final in France is also the confirmation of the progress made by our elites.
Yes it is obvious. Without this work has been done without these efforts have been made without this ability we have today can create the event by filling stadiums and offering a quality show, the approach would have been harder. This is the fulfillment of a collective effort that we make, federation and clubs for several seasons.
Precisely, about the elite clubs, a meeting that you chaired was held on February 10 in Carcassonne, since rumors spread ...
It is difficult to stop even if he was asked representatives of the elite clubs to observe a degree of confidentiality with respect to the exchanges we have had. Everyone does not seem to meet this commitment but it does not matter. Indeed, I wished to gather the presidents of elite clubs, as I had announced to them of the implementation of an important project for the future of our championship of France that I work for several weeks now in collaboration with Luc Dayan who brings us his advice and experience for this purpose. It was normal in these circumstances to inform clubs of the initiative and gather their support. But there is no respect to race. The project he is currently reflected falls in the long run and whether it should be born, it was not until the 2013-2014 season. This is an ambitious project that is currently at the design stage in order to determine whether or not effectively implemented. A feasibility study will be undertaken during the next 6 months and once we have all the elements in hand will make a decision that could revolutionize our flagship competition. But we're not there yet. I am determined that this process be accomplished with seriousness, rigor and professionalism. What I want for our elite, what I think she should do for the next ten years, I spoke at the meeting of February 10. We will then do a summary at the beginning of summer and we can decide. But I am confident because all the clues lead me to be.
Does this mean that there could be a profound change in terms of the championship of France Elite?
What we seek above all is to consider the establishment of a new model compared to the evolution of French sport of recent decades that has not been that good. It is certainly not to sacrifice our traditional strongholds that are our roots and our history. This is primarily to establish the conditions of an economic system accessible by the greatest number, where the values ​​of sport and will be preserved where excesses of all kinds will be banned to allow the competition to speak the best possible conditions. The spirit of sport will be a guiding principle and we will try to convince future leaders from all backgrounds and present in large cities to join us and embark on the adventure with us. Of course, this ambitious and original certainly will not happen without a diffuser and national partners. But the first contacts are already positive. To us to keep moving forward, seriously, patiently and let Luc Dayan us the freedom to submit its analysis and we propose its recommendations. We can then make decisions that will be. But we had to look ahead and display some other ambitions for the next level.
One last word about the President's choice of future coach XIII of France which is expected the appointment.
You understand that if no name has been communicated to date, it is because the decision has not yet been taken. Since last December, I met many candidates, I talked with renowned coaches and I consulted as many. Some declined the proposal that had been made, others think. Still others are positioning themselves or make it known. I set an order of priorities because I want the best for the XIII of France in preparation for the next World Cup. Several options are emerging now, things change and patterns become clearer. I look foremost that the future of coach XIII of France is able to unite around the ambitions of French rugby league has to show. Discussions are continuing and there is no reason to rush the stage. Things should settle down in the coming weeks. You just have to be patient even though I can understand that fans, players, treizistes have wanted to know. The only thing I am now able to announce to the XIII of France, is the official creation of the club France. A club that will bring together financial partners, economic operators and those from the world of media, TV, print media ... I wanted to kick off the next World Cup in 2013, Whether the club France, occupies the ground and holds regular evening debates around the themes that will help the French rugby league to go ahead. France This club will be chaired by a former president of the FFR XIII, which I believe will leverage his experience and passion still intact in the service of our sport. Finally, we worked in parallel with the Rugby Football League for the establishment of the international calendar for next season since the 2012 tour of New Zealand eventually proved impossible to organize. Thus, France will have its program four important meetings. First Wales on June 16, for a test match to be held at our friends Welsh. Second, participation XIII of France in the Euro-Nations which will see the blue face England and Wales in a kind of Tri Nations between the best European nations in the northern hemisphere. France will host the Welsh end of October and then will travel to England in early November. The first two will contest the final to finally be awarded the trophy Jean Galia. Four games are in the program in 2012 and I am sure will best prepare the next World Cup.
