Playback time: 9 minutes
Rugby Heritage Cup Pontlevoy 2023
An ambitious project born of a crazy idea
The Rugby Heritage Cup 2023, or Coupe du Monde Scolaire, was born over dinner with François Roche-Bayard, Daniel Dubroca, Philippe Sella and François Pienaar. Their shared aspiration: to create a unique event capable of rallying the world's youth around the fundamental and universal values of rugby. The aim of this ambitious project was to showcase young talent from 18 different nations.
The choice of Pontlevoy as the setting for this event was not fortuitous. Located in the department of Loir-et-Cher, this small, historic commune is famous for its college, founded in 1034. This establishment, rich in history and tradition, provides an exceptional and inspiring backdrop for a school competition of this scale. Pontlevoy's storied atmosphere creates an environment conducive to camaraderie and learning, perfectly embodying the spirit of rugby.
This project, far from being a simple sporting competition, was supported by numerous public and private partners, as well as a team of dedicated and passionate volunteers. Their commitment made it possible to bring this vision to life, overcome the many logistical challenges and guarantee the event's success. The Rugby Heritage Cup is a vehicle for cohesion and unity, highlighting the values of respect, fair play and team spirit so dear to the world of rugby.
The Rugby Heritage Cup 2023, hosted by the town of Pontlevoy, stands out for its unique and innovative format, built around three major events. This multifaceted approach celebrates not only sporting skills, but also the cultural traditions and values inherent in rugby.
A unique challenge and two cultural explorations
Rugby Seven
The first event, rugby seven, is a classic 7-a-side tournament. This dynamic rugby variant showcases the agility, speed and strategy of the participating teams.
It has become an essential discipline in international competitions, and its inclusion in the Rugby Heritage Cup 2023 will ensure exciting matches and an exceptional display of talent on the field.
Rugby Chef
The second event, Rugby Chef, is a true celebration of culinary cultures. Each team prepares a dish typical of its country, sharing a piece of its heritage with the other participants and spectators.
This culinary competition offers a unique opportunity to discover the diversity and richness of food traditions around the world, while strengthening ties between participants through gastronomy.
Rugby Short
The third event, rugby shorts, involves creating a video illustrating the values of rugby. Teams are invited to produce creative content that highlights respect, solidarity, team spirit and commitment.
These videos serve not only as a means of artistic expression, but also as an educational tool, highlighting the importance of sporting values in rugby and beyond.
By combining athletics, culture and creativity, the Rugby Heritage Cup 2023 in Pontlevoy transcends the traditional boundaries of sport. It offers a global platform where cultural diversity and sporting values are celebrated holistically, reinforcing Pontlevoy's role as a true rugby capital of the world.
The Importance of Values and Commitment
At the Rugby Heritage Cup 2023 in Pontlevoy, a particularly poignant moment took place when young Cyprien Mérand read out the code of conduct drawn up by seven participating teams. This symbolic act underlined that this competition is not just a sporting event, but also embodies universal values. The project, which received UNESCO patronage, is a perfect illustration of this approach. It recognizes that children, as key players, are best placed to define the principles of harmonious and respectful coexistence.
By integrating these values at the heart of the competition, the Pontlevoy Rugby Heritage Cup 2023 becomes a model for other sporting events around the world. It demonstrates how sport can be a powerful vector for positive change. Through this school World Cup, young people are encouraged to adopt an inclusive mentality and understand the importance of diversity and solidarity. In short, the event goes far beyond the playing field, helping to shape the players of a future society that is fairer and more respectful.
Men's final
The Rugby Heritage Cup 2023 reached its climax with thrilling finals that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
In the men's category, the Condor Sevens demonstrated their superiority by triumphing over the Iona College team with an impressive score of 8 to 4. The match highlighted not only the raw talent of the young athletes, but also their commitment and passion for rugby. Thanks to their effective strategy and flawless execution, the Condor Sevens established themselves as deserving champions of this first edition of the Schools Rugby World Cup.
Women's final
On the women's side, the competition was just as intense and exciting. Japan Rugby Sevens Academy emerged victorious against the Eastern Bay of Plenty team, with a close score of 5-4. This close match demonstrated the skill and determination of the players, paying tribute to the fighting spirit and talent of the young women present.
The victory of the Japan Rugby Sevens Academy marks a historic moment for the cup, underlining the growing importance of women's rugby on a global scale.
These results highlight the deep commitment and exceptional talent of the young participants, all of whom contributed to the resounding success of this first edition of the Rugby Heritage Cup. In Pontlevoy, the competition celebrated not only the winners, but also the sportsmanship and camaraderie that are at the heart of rugby. By bringing together teams from all over the world, the Schools Rugby World Cup strengthened international ties and promoted the fundamental values of the sport. This successful edition augurs well for the future of the Rugby Heritage Cup and for Pontlevoy's place as the world capital of school rugby.
