At 16, Pauline Soulard is a hopeful in women’s rugby. This young woman from Nice had to leave the Côte d’Azur to join the talent pool in Saint-Orens (in the suburb of Toulouse, editor’s note) with whom she was crowned French champion in rugby sevens. Portrait of a passionate oval ball enthusiast.
While others are window-shopping, Pauline plays a sport not often favored by women: rugby. Ten years ago, she discovered this sport through her little brother, and since then she has never left the world of rugby.
Finding a quality club is not easy for a girl, and for someone from Nice, it’s even more complicated! This is why Pauline had to leave the Côte d’Azur to join the Saint-Orens talent pool.
A very busy life
Pauline plays rugby every day, but at what cost! She does not have flexible school hours for her classes. She joins the rugby fields after her days at school, and she admits that sometimes it is not easy. “You have to hang in there,” she concedes. But her passion is such that she manages to redouble her efforts to succeed.
This season, young Pauline has accumulated titles. She won the French under-18 championship with her club from Saint-Orens in rugby sevens and was also titled with the Midi-Pyrénées selection, in both rugby sevens and fifteens.
Rugby women seeking their share of the pie
While male rugby players are still far from the salaries of soccer players, what about professional female rugby players? For Pauline, it is clear that they are two diametrically opposed worlds: “the best must earn something like 2000€ per month. Besides that, they have a job.”
That’s why Pauline knows how crucial studies are. Her plans are simple: succeed in her studies before trying to embark on a high-level career.
In the meantime, she lives her passion to the fullest by supporting her favorite team: Stade Toulousain, and by admiring her idols Imanol Harinordoquy, Marjorie Mayans, and Marie-Alice Yahé.
