Rugger Girls: Part 14. Merger.

1980s: THE GREAT CHANGE

Fourteenth chapter of the summary of the history of women's rugby in France, from the book "Rugger Girls"("Des Filles en Ovalie"), written by Jacques B. Corti and Yaneth Pinilla Foreword by Serge Betsen. Published weekly(ish) by French women's rugby blog Des Filles en Ovalie.

The FFRF became the victim of its own success. The projects were flourishing. Ambitions too. But financial realities were less exciting.

Among the big ideas, on October 8, 1988, they created the "International Confederation of Women's Rugby", (CIRF), with Nadine Leterre took the chair. The goal was to organize the schedule and develop relationships. "The fact that we started working on the Confederation really made ​​a difference in the FFR," recalls Nadine Leterre.

Then it happened. Albert Ferrasse accepted the integration of women's rugby in the FFR.

For 17 years the issue had not been resolved. The, in less than a year after this presidential decision, integration happens. The last meeting of the FFRF was held June 4, 1989. At Bourg-en-Bresse, of course, where they signed a contract to merge with the FFR.

In July, at the FFR Congress in Bordeaux, Albert Ferrasse made the official announcement of the integration of women in the FFR would come into effect the end of this year 1989. About this crucial decision the former president said little when he spoke about it in March 2005. "Oh you know, I am 88. This is all long ago. But I'm glad I did it. You know how I am. I make ​​a decision, and voila! "

Extract from the book "Des Filles en Ovalie", Editions Atlantica (2005), Written by Jacques B. Corti / Yaneth Pinilla Foreword by Serge Betsen.