Upcoming partnership between USAP Asso and AS Monaco rugby
The USAP Association and AS Monaco Rugby have laid the foundations for a possible future partnership, especially for young people who would not pass the mark of professionalism.
It’s not a wedding yet. But between Monaco and the USAP Association, it’s been a few months since the connection was established. And by dint of meetings, the contact could very quickly lead to a flirtation, verbalized by a convention, a collaboration, an agreement from next season… “What does the word matter, cuts Axel Barrière, the president of the USAP Association. The will is common”. “A story of men” which would therefore be written with Thomas Riqué and Axel Barrière, the presidents of AS Monaco Rugby and USAP Asso who laid the foundations of a partnership a little more a few days ago in Principality. “It was during the last Challenge Desclaux last November in which the Monaco rugby school took part that we got to know each other. The kids then attended the Top 14 match against La Rochelle, rewinds Axel Barrière. Since then, the exchanges have been regular and constructive.
Currently in Federal 3, but well placed to access the floor above, Monaco takes on a little more waistline each season. And the young USAP hopefuls not retained by the pros could find interesting professional and sporting prospects on the Riviera. With the Seven team participating in the three national stages with the Top 14 clubs, the women’s, and a dynamic rugby school, the leather oval is making a name for itself at the foot of the Rock. As proof, a complex exclusively dedicated to rugby should emerge from the ground between Monaco and La Turbie next June.
In the wake of an emergency doctor president from Aude (ex-player of the RCN from 12 to 20 years old) and the Catalan from Saleilles Rémi Caseblanque (former USAP), expatriated professionally for ten years on the Côte d ‘Azur and commercial and event manager of ASM Rugby. “USAP a history, an identity. Partnering with this club would be a tremendous added value for us. We could offer compensated elements to elements that do not win professional contracts. We have the employment pool, the schools, the universities… Monaco is a village that you have. It’s not just the glitter, ”explains Thomas Rique.
“Win-win”
“Our mission at the USAP Association is threefold. Developer for young people of a sports, school and human project. What to offer to players who do not take the last step? Seeing them leave us is a real heartbreak for us who trained them for many years. But on the group of 45 Hopes, not all will produce a career. But Monaco could be a plan B, a plan C where there is the pool of jobs, ”continues Axel Barrière.
And the chartered accountant, president since 2020, guarantor of the balance of a budget of 1.5 million euros and 9 employees, to continue… “And why imagine new economic partnerships seduced by our approach to this this side of the Mediterranean. Monaco is a blank page. We attribute their contribution to our expertise in the structuring of the club. For this, it is imperative that they go up to Federal 1 in order to be attractive to our young people. And then the Seven component is also a real plus. Imagine three quarters. They could initiate a career at 7 which would offer them visibility while giving a hand to the team at XV of AS Monaco”. A “win-win”, in short…