Event – ‘Awesome Rugby Party’: Jan DeLaige takes us behind the scenes of WateRugby

What exactly is WaterRugby?

WateRugby is a 100% free event that will be taking place in its 5th edition this year. The concept is simple: 2 teams of 5 players battle it out on a floating platform placed on the Quai de la Daurade, but the advantage is that there is no contact and no goal. To score tries, you have to wet your shirt and dive into the Garonne. It’s festive, friendly and amazing all at the same time. Inevitably, compared to the World Cup (from September 8 to October 28), we had to introduce the event, which we usually organize at the beginning of the school year. We thought we’d use WateRugby to warm up and get the crowd used to the World Cup matches in Toulouse.

Is it an open event for all?

Surely anyone can participate! All teams have mixed since touching rugby. We will have a student tournament on Thursday and a corporate tournament on Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, children will be entitled to starts supervised by international players. We also host two wheelchair rugby matches, the first being at WateRugby. We also have the opportunity to stage a women’s match featuring many former international players, such as Lenaïg Corson, Camille Grassineau and Lise Arricastre to name a few.

Like I said, you’re hosting wheelchair rugby for the first time. One wonders if the event is appropriate?

We will actually have two wheelchair rugby fairs on Saturday and Sunday. They also will mark the tests by diving into the water and I assure you everything is perfectly adapted. Players will be equipped with special chairs that allow them to float. Divers will push them onto the platform from which healthy players will pull them out of the water. We are very happy to receive them and give them additional insight, as well as include them in our event. It enhances our desire to reach.

You can also organize a festive match, “Eau’ll Star” …

It is a legendary match that will be opposed Many former Stade Toulousain, RCT and Barbarians players are in a squad of foreign internationals. To name a few, on the French side we can find Vincent Clerc, Émile Ntamac, Fabien Bellos, François Trinh-Duc, etc. Among the foreigners are New Zealand legend Carlos Spencer, Italian Mirko Bergamasco or brothers Dillon and Guy Hermitage. There are really great people at this event.

And for those who don’t play rugby, are they still able to come and enjoy the action?

naturally ! They will be able to find the Animation Village in which the practitioners of the Conservatoire Supérieure des Bones de Toulouse will present their services, Chefs Chefs will come to cook in front of the public, and they will even benefit from a game of Mêlée des Chefs where they will be judged by international players. You will be able to find a cheerleading competition and this year there will also be a mascots parade, where Pro D2 and Top 14 mascots will take part. Our mascot Ducky will also be present. The idea is to offer a great rugby party for all the enthusiasts, and everyone can take part in it. Moreover, during each evening the public will be able to find a concert that will conclude the day.

Why did you choose Toulouse to organize WaterRugby?

Toulouse remains the rugby capital. We know there is a strong fanbase out there. Moreover, to play on the Garonne, against Sea Bream, it is still exceptional. So it seemed natural to me to do it in Toulouse. In addition, there is the personal aspect: I have played for many years in Rouge et Noir (1997-2004) so ​​I am happy to do so in the Pink City.

How did you come up with the idea of ​​organizing a rugby tournament on the water?

In rugby we are often lucky enough to play the third half, and so the idea of ​​playing on the water came up during one of those drunken evenings. Thinking about it clearly the next day, we told ourselves that the idea was still not so bad. It’s something we put together very quickly and it worked really well and now it’s a resounding success year after year.

You can also take advantage of the event to highlight the associations in which you are a partner. What associations will be present?

Effective way ! French Rugby Association Taste First, which works for children from poor backgrounds in Colombia, Madagascar and Senegal. The Serge Betsen Academy Association, which is doing the same in Cameroon, will also be present in its stands. We will also find the Oncopôle de Toulouse that will play with an exclusively women’s team during the business tournament on Friday, as well as the Bergonié Cancer Institute of Bordeaux who will also play with a business team. The Green World Team will also be there to raise awareness of the environmental issue which helps us to deliver the greenest event possible.