Toulouse. After rugby union, a new club will evolve into the elite next season
Through Anthony Assemat
Published on
Toulouse sport is definitely at the party in 2021. After the rise in Super League of Olympic Toulouse XIII, effective since Sunday October 10, 2021 and a success against Featherstone Rovers (34-12) at Ernest-Wallon, another club of the Ville Rose will taste the joys of the elite of its sport next season. Indeed, American football “made in Toulouse” will be represented in the Elite championship with the Bears of Toulouse.
A climb… without playing!
Despite the cessation of competitions several months ago due to a health crisis, movements between divisions have not been stopped in the United States. So the Bears, coached by Rudy Fonkoué, are mounted administratively… and without playing! The explanations with Arnaud Montgénie, the president of the club:
“The First Division clubs must meet sporting but also administrative conditions to be able to play in Elite. However, for two years, our club, by its structures, meet these specifications. A team had asked to be relegated and we had the best criteria to reach the elite “.
Toulouse-Grenoble to start on February 13, 2022
After men’s and women’s rugby (Stade Toulousain and Stade Toulousain feminine), handball (Fenix), volleyball (Spacers), rugby union (A XIII), but also baseball (Stade Toulousain baseball), American footballers will also wear the colors of the 4e city in France.
With beautiful posters in perspective and derbies from Occitania since the Black and White cross swords with Montpellier and Perpignan in their elite pool. “The Catalans beat us three years ago in the semi-finals and we weren’t up. There will be beautiful posters, ”continues the president of the club, who will also rub shoulders in Aix-en-Provence, Marseille and Grenoble.
“We are aiming for the title within three years”
The Isérois will be the first team to come and challenge the Toulouse in the championship, on February 13, 2022. The Elite championship will consist of two and the favorites are called Marseille, Thonon-les-Bains and La Courneuve.
“The objective will be to ensure a good season and to build a group for the future. But in the medium term, we will be part of the top four clubs and play the league title within three years.”
The president’s cap… and player!
A momentous season that Arnaud Montgénie will experience, for the last time, with the astonishing double cap of president (since 2018) … and player, he who has been wetting the Bears jersey for ten seasons now and who was a part of the France team!
As happiness never comes alone, Toulouse’s under-19s also have the honor of playing at the top of the basket in their category. Symbol of a club that Arnaud Montgénie intends to structure at all levels. “We want to be solid on all sections. For example, we have created a female team because there was demand and we are recruiting young people in the flag (American football without contact and mixed, editor’s note) and the cheerleader From 10 years old. And we are working with the town hall to have larger and more comfortable stands ”.
“Make every game an entertainment”
With this rise in solidarity with the return of matches and spectators along the handrail and in the stands, the Toulouse player-president has plans for hosting home matches. “Before the pandemic, we had between 200 and 4000 spectators per match. We hope to do more and for that, we have to make every game a fun. We would like to set up, for example, a fan zone in the parking lot, entertainment and introductions to American football… The idea: it’s to come and have a good Sunday watching US football, ”explains Arnaud Montgénie.
The Argoulets club hopes to sneak into the hearts of the people of Toulouse and testify that the American footing can take off in the Pink City. “We are one of the best French American football clubs. We will have the same place, sportingly, as the Stade Toulousain! We work for take up more space in Toulouse“, Conclusion the president-player.
>> Small presentation of the Bear club, in video <
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