Following the official position of the City of Nice— which will not erase a debt that remains to be quantified to this day (estimated between 1.3 to 1.5 million euros)— and a potential investor in the person of Thierry Perez who would only come if the financial situation is balanced, solutions are not abundant, and another disappearance of rugby from Nice unfortunately seems to be looming. What a waste!
Certainly, hope springs eternal, but everything seems lifeless in the case of the revival of Rugby Nice Côte d’Azur, which has probably just lived through its last season, at least in its current form.
Empty coffers and no short- or medium-term solutions for the current management structure of the club following the coming and going of the whimsical president Deffins. No improvement for Tony Catoni and his team, who have not yet found any solution to replenish the past and secure the future.
So, what are the solutions to prevent rugby from disappearing forever from the city of Nice? As is known, Christian Estrosi has personally committed to ensuring that the amateur sections, and above all the rugby school, can continue to compete in their respective championships.
Very well, but with whom? Three choices seem possible, and one of the three will have to be chosen to begin preparing for the upcoming season as serenely as possible.
The first would be to place trust in the current team led by Tony Catoni, comprised of former opponents originally behind the dissolution of the outgoing team with the resignation of former president Christian Baldacchino. This choice would be in continuity, but one must still wonder if, given the undeniable responsibilities in the Deffins-Tordo debacle, it is preferable to “continue” in this manner? Isn’t there a saying, ‘to persevere is diabolical?’
The second could lead to a new associative structure already formed by parents of players from the rugby school and members of the ‘leisure’ section, Metropole Nice Rugby, capable of taking over the management of the club and its various teams.
The third, and the last one, could come from a new associative structure composed of former coaches, players, and leaders “not wishing to engage in this type of game precisely out of love for it… when it is beautiful!” A project is currently under study, with collaborations (finally!) linking clubs within the department (and not necessarily only in Rugby) and strong involvement with schools/colleges/high schools and the business world.
Three solutions and only one, therefore, will need to be validated by Christian Estrosi and his Deputy for Sports, Gilles Veissière, in the coming weeks. There is no doubt that after the series of misadventures of Nice’s oval ball, both will ensure that, for a third time, “the shack doesn’t fall again on the dog!”
However, it should be noted that the municipal opposition seems, exceptionally, to give the Mayor of Nice and his Deputy for Sports a genuine carte blanche on Thierry Perez’s revival plan* (see inset).
Of course, we could also add to the list of these choices the possibility that OGC Nice establishes a rugby section and that the youth, women’s, and amateur teams are overseen by the red and black house. But, due to the maintenance operation, nothing emerges from the headquarters offices, and perhaps with a good result against Lyon next Sunday evening and a maintenance assured, tongues will loosen more easily during the following week. Unless all this is the result of a recurring fantasy that the flagship football club of the Riviera would encompass rugby just as it did last year with the Handball club, with the success known as the teammates of Valérie Nicolas (who bid farewell yesterday) advanced to the major division.
And if this famous third envisaged solution and OGC Nice were actually just a joint project?
Sorry… We did say we wouldn’t mention more…
To be continued.
