We knew her as the symbol of OGC Nice’s communication, and it is in a similar position that we find Virginie Rossetti taking the helm of promoting the new rugby club of the City of Nice.
Certainly, it’s no longer so new, but for the former players of RRC Nice, this club was born, like a phoenix from the still burning ashes of an era when it was not wise to defy Alain Méarelli’s men in a stadium that bore his name and on which, today, football is played, sic!
In short, new era, new challenge and the takeover of the club by the shareholders’ group led by Gilbert Stellardo – who himself easily moves from the round ball to the oval – seems to want to give himself the means of an ambition that would lead them to the threshold of the Top 14 in the coming years. The memory of Nice-Béziers at Parc des Princes is not so far away and it seems there is indeed a good rugby atmosphere in the Var plain, new cradle of a club that must apply itself to climb the national ranks without risking burning a stage.
But let’s get back to Virginie, Nice Première went to meet her to find out how the round ball woman could turn to the oval and how she combined her talents in these ultimately collective sports.
So Virginie, a busy start to the season, isn’t it?
Nice Première: Virginie, after the round ball, you’re communicating about Nice’s oval?
Virginie Rossetti: Let’s say I’m lending a hand… 😉
NP: You’re a football expert, are you also interested in rugby?
VR: Honestly, until the takeover of RNCA by the shareholders’ group led by Gilbert Stellardo, I was only interested in it from very very far away….I did watch a few matches though, at Stade du Ray, on Sunday afternoons; back then, the team was in the 1st Division (equivalent to Top 14 at that time).
NP: What are your communication projects for Nice rugby?
VR: My goal is to communicate as much as possible about this beautiful project so that RNCA regains media recognition while keeping in mind that, as with football, results are what drive things….When you look at OGC Nice in 2001 at the gates of the National and today, we have every reason to believe that with seriousness and motivation, we can move mountains….So RNCA today in Federal 2 and in 4-5 years in the Top 14, why not??!!
NP: If I say Racing Rugby Club of Nice to you?
VR: I answer: ancestor of RNCA (Rugby Nice Côte d’Azur)…a Club that indeed left an impression in the early 80s by winning notably the Yves-Du-Manoir Challenge…
NP: How do you manage to juggle your multiple roles?
VR: Let’s say that as long as it stays in the sports world, it works for me….a ball, players, an attack, a defense….I should be able to handle it and a significant workload has never bothered me, especially since I now have the pleasure of having a collaborator (Nicolas BERNARD) who helps me a lot….Same passion, same respect for the work….
NP: Going back to the round ball, how are you living this difficult start to the season for the Eagles?
VR: If we found ourselves in this position in April, I would start having trouble sleeping….but we’re in September, we’ve played 5 matches….and the law of series will reverse the trend soon….and maybe in 6 months you’ll ask me “are you starting to believe in a possible European qualification?” That’s football….
NP: Finally, what’s new with Virginie?
VR: Still happy and proud to be in this position….Only happiness!
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