Already during the previous season, it was through a non-competitive decision that Nice’s rugby players had moved up to Federal 1 after having missed the sportive promotion. This year again, it is on this same non-competitive basis that the Azurean hopes lie to avoid falling back to square one by taking the lift down to a less suitable Federal 2, contrary to the club’s ambitions.
Failure, but not checkmate for Nice’s rugby, which must still ask themselves the right questions about the reasons for these two consecutive misses. The future of the club has thus become considerably darkened on the field side, while backstage, the preparations for the transition to a SASP (professional sports company) and the arrival of a new shareholder could have been the icing on the cake in case of maintaining the highest federal level. It remains to be hoped that this relegation does not dampen the spirits of the new shareholders, sponsors, and partners who are “pushing” Nice’s rugby pack.
It is to take stock of this season that Nice Premium met with President Christian Baldacchino who discusses the relegation, the recruitment criticized by supporters, the non-competitive decision, and current projects.
Nice Premium: RNCA lost in Millau during the last match of the season resulting in an unexpected defeat. What happened in Aveyron?
Christian Baldacchino: Always the same difficulty in winning away from home. It is almost pathological and might need the intervention of a psychologist.
I do not want to consider a lack of motivation, it would be too serious given the stakes, but I am especially thinking of all those who are behind (notably the young people who tirelessly commit and the women still qualified in the quarter-finals). Perhaps there is a lack of that extra soul that allows a team to simply maintain its level of play and prevail against a weaker team (or supposedly so) that plays in front of its audience.
NP: Sportively, RNCA is relegated. This is obviously a disappointment and a maintenance goal not achieved. What are the reasons for this failure?
CB: We indeed have to face the failure: the goal is not met.
The reasons are multiple: Some weaknesses in certain positions, a preparation that started too late, injured players from the beginning and out for the entire season without being able to replace them (hence a certain lack of squad depth on the bench), the lack of performance from our kickers in the first 6 games, the inability to keep some bonus points…
The reasons can add up, unfortunately, it changes nothing about the result. It is up to us to analyze them to avoid repeating them.
NP: Some, you know, the buzzing from the stands that makes leaders’ ears ring, mention an overly significant recruitment explaining the bad start of the season. Do you have an answer to these buzzes?
CB: It’s not a matter of excessive recruitment, as I mentioned earlier, we rather lacked players since the squad operated with fewer than 30 players. The budget was contained to stay balanced and it was necessary to strengthen the squad as some players from the previous season had left, others had stopped, and others still seemed a bit insufficient for the level.
We tried to form the best team possible for maintenance. After that, it is certain that a renewed squad needs some time to operate at its best regime.
NP: There is talk of maintenance through a non-competitive decision in the event of relegation(s) of financially unhealthy club(s). Can you tell us more? What are the chances for Nice to be in F1 next year and when will we know?
CB: Indeed, we are discussing it and we are closely following the matter.
First of all, I want to say that the procedure seems to me more than justified. It is indeed normal that not respecting a rule (and that of financial balance is one) distorts any competition. So, I find it normal that there should be a sanction: if the clubs under scrutiny had respected the rule, would they have been able to have the same recruitment and thus the same team and the same results?
If, given possible relegations, a spot became available, Nice would vie for it with a very good file presented to the French rugby federation: we are the best third place with Graulhet so even sportively we have arguments to make. The club is financially sound. It is complete and has teams in all categories including a very beautiful and highly effective rugby school. It enjoys very good facilities. Finally – and this is new and very important – the city hall has a fresh and very interested look at rugby and the Nice club.
We thus think we have objective possibilities of being in Federal 1 next year if there is an administrative relegation. We will know in a few weeks.
NP: The season is over. The next one will resume in August. What will happen at RNCA during this summer at the sportive and administrative level?
CB: We are already planning the squad for next season. From the staff’s point of view, there will be no major changes. Regarding players, we will meet them individually to assess and of course, we are on the track of new ones to strengthen the group. A second failure at this level (if we are given that chance) is not conceivable.
Administratively, we have finalized the creation of the SASP of which we must file the statutes these days. Reflections are underway to strengthen the administrative and supervisory side of the club at all levels. The long-term goal of the club always remains the accession to Pro D2.
