It was the match not to lose, but ultimately they lost it. There was no rebound of pride in the Val d’Oise, and the journey back must have been very long for the leaders and players of Nice. Unless there are unlikely results in the last two days or a decision by the French Rugby Federation, the people from Nice are doomed to endure the harsh Federal 2 league again next year. The survival goal set at the beginning of the season was ultimately not achieved, at least not on the green pitch, with the club still secretly hoping that the turf of the same color saves this lackluster season. But as we know, green carpets are risky and it will be necessary to quickly learn from a tumultuous season both on and off the field.
If the club does not achieve the expected sports results, it still stands that to build a great team, there must be a great club and vice versa. This is how the RNCA has established itself as a SASP, thereby managing part of the first team staff and through the association, the rugby school, youth teams, and women’s teams. But having a structure means having organization and implementing new elements that will make up the leadership team, regardless of what fate awaits the sports team.
A new majority shareholder has entered the scene in the person of the British Paul White, who joins the club’s capital as well as its board of directors. It remains to be hoped that everyone will “push” in the same and right direction to avoid the wanderings and mistakes of this season in hopes of quickly climbing back up a level, if there is indeed a descent.
Hard Times for Rugby in Nice
Thus, it’s quite challenging in Nice to be this sport, which was recently supported by a World Cup in France and a former coach of the French national team as a minister. Despite having a fantastic rugby school, women’s and veterans’ sections, and complete facilities at the Arboras stadium, the RNCA struggles to take off. While money doesn’t buy happiness, it contributes to it in rugby, and the budgets do not allow for miracles either. Many spectators at the Arboras are the same fans who used to gather on Sundays at Stade Méarelli to support the former Racing Rugby Club of Nice that was a top contender in the first division against teams like Toulouse, Narbonne, Toulon, and Grenoble. The rugby spirit certainly exists in Nice, but it appears that the issue lies in the fabric of the organization and, as in every sports discipline, it is not always wise to skip ahead. Patience is also a strength that grows with time. Here, then, comes the time for rebuilding, once again, but as the saying goes, “try, try again, and you’ll succeed at last”—only 98 tries to go.
