Rugger Girls: Part 19. Progress at last...

1995: THE FIRST WOMAN ELECTED TO THE FFR

Nineteenth 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.

Wanda Noury, first woman on the FFR in 1995, remained
French team manager until 2008

1995 was a significant year in another area - one of politics. In the elections to the Federation, Wanda Noury was elected to the Steering Committee of the FFR -  the first woman to receive this status.

In truth the Ministry of Youth and Sports played its part in this small palace coup. It was necessary, according to its papers, for a woman to support the activity of the women within the Federation. Wanda Noury therefore took on the responsibility of the Women's Commission. Why her? "I was known by those at the centre of the rugby, they thought it should be me,"she says.

The arrival of a woman to the Steering Committee of the FFR was certainly a significant step forward in the long journey of the women's rugby, and was the initiator of new changes.

One of them concerned the organization of the Championship. "It changed constantly because everything depends on the teams. At one time there were 20 teams, which made one division, then there were 35 teams and you could make a second division, after it is rose to 40 and the third division was established. The system of the three divisions are about since 2001."

Let's stay in 1995. Wanda Noury, becomes, as part of the process, manager of the French team. This is the beginning of a very rich career in the FFR.

But, while a step forward, the arrival of a woman to the Steering Committee, did not solve not all the problems. This time it was Marie-Céline Bernard thought her future was threatened. "I learned in the press that someone else taken my place. Perhaps they (FFR) felt that I had probably gone on long enough?" Jacquelines Bonnieu-Devaluez took her place as the head of the French team, to work with Jacques Macou, who had been in position since 1993.

Instead Marie-Céline Bernard in 1995 was entrusted with a new mission: the organization of the Championship of France for the Southeast region. She also participated in the implementation of the inter-regional selections to find girls able to play for France or France A. After the next elections, in 1999, this activity would be entrusted to Nicole Mas.

TO FOLLOW... 1990s: THE OBJECTIVE IS QUALITY

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