Rugger Girls: Part 2

Second chapter of the French history of women's rugby, from the book "Rugger Girls," written by Jacques B. Corti and Yaneth Pinilla, , translated from the blog "Des Filles en Ovalie".

"NO AND NO"

"By 1969, initial contacts are made to be part of the French Rugby Federation (FFR). The answer was no. The Violets then decided to become independent by creating their own club. They choose the path that soon other teams would follow. At the same time three women other decided to move forward. Annie Bannier (Pau), Isabel Navarro (Toulouse), and Odile Militon (Tarbes) agreed to found a women's rugby union. On 25th October 1969, a meeting was held in Portet sur Garonne. Sixteen people were present, representing 6 teams: Pau, Tarbes, Toulouse, Villemur Châteaurenard and Beziers. "On this day, we recognise that the ARF [Women's Rugby Association] was born" states the report.

On March 4, 1970, the ARF is officially registered in the prefecture of Haute-Garonne. The headquarters was in Toulouse. The founding agreement of the new organisation was extremely thorough with more than 130 items.

'SERIOUSLY AMATEUR "

The articles were divided into three parts. The first related to corporate objectives. The second dealt with the sport's administration and finance. The third concerned the regulations for players, referees and officials.

The annual fee for clubs was set at 50 francs. Officials and players had to pay a license costing 2 francs. If the license was not renewed before a match there was a penalty of 10 francs. And any kind of prize money was prohibited - only medals and artefacts were allowed.

All the information and communication was by an official bulletin. The subscription cost 10 francs and was mandatory. There are only few copies, but it has been very useful in establishing the points necessary for this story ...

Extract from the book "Rugger Girls", Editions Atlantica (2005, preface by Serge Betsen) by Jacques B. Corti and Yaneth Pinilla

To be continued ... Part II "GROW anyway "