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Rugby
RATP strengthened its links with this popular team sport in 2005 by establishing a partnership with the French Rugby Federation (FFR). The values prized in rugby – solidarity, respect, teamwork and friendliness – are the same values that unite the RATP’s staff on the ground.
On the occasion of France’s three home matches in the 2012 Six Nations rugby tournament against Italy, Ireland and England, RATP transported the French team on all their journeys between the National Rugby Centre in Marcoussis, the practice fields and the match stadiums.
Partnership with Racing Métro 92
In 2001, the rugby section of US Métro, the RATP’s long-standing sports club, merged with Racing Club de France rugby union club to become Racing-Métro 92, now a professional outfit playing in France’s premier division, the Top 14. RATP is the club’s official sponsor, and for every home match at the Yves du Manoir stadium in Colombes, it provides special shuttle buses for fans from the Nanterre - Préfecture RER station on line A.
Official partner of the French Rugby Team
RATP has been an official partner of the French Rugby Federation since 2005. It is the official transport provider to the FFR and a supplier to the French national team. The partnership was extended until the end of the 2011-12 season in June 2008.
Rugby Park
Each year, in a dedicated 300m² space at Auber station on the RER A, RATP holds an event called “Rugby Park”, the aim being to introduce the people of Ile-de-France to rugby. The latest edition, in February 2010, saw more than 4,500 people take part in four days of activities, including a drop-goal workshop, a fun exhibition on the rules of rugby, an interactive quiz and a photo-montage workshop. Many supporters turned up to get their faces painted before the France-Wales match on 27 February. Nearly 250,000 people travel through this RER station each day.
Rugby Wednesdays
Created in 2007, Rugby Wednesdays (‘les mercredis du rugby’) is a social initiative aimed at young people from disadvantaged areas of Ile-de-France. The aim of the scheme is to promote greater social harmony, both on public transport and in everyday life. It is based on the core values of rugby, such as respect. Previous editions have proved successful, allowing RATP to teach more than 1,500 children about the rules that make for a harmonious community.
The scheme comprises three phases:
- School visits by RATP staff;
- Practical rugby sessions at the Marcoussis National Rugby Centre, with guidance from the Ile-de-France Rugby Committee’s regional technical managers.
- Trips on the official team bus of Les Bleus to rugby workshops at the national team’s training grounds, giving the youngsters the chance to spend a few moments living the lives of the French team.
