Three of our players had the honour and pleasure to be invited by the LOU Women's Rugby Club to train in Lyon last week.
This was a great opportunity for them to experience the skills and atmosphere of a top level women's club in France; one of the leading countries in regards to the development of women's rugby.

It is a good point in time to remember where these ladies came from.

They were all part of the first ever U12 Girls team in Austria. Where? At Stade Rugby!

It all started here ...

A lot of unforgettable girls with one of, if not THE main actor in establishing women's rugby development in Austria: Renée Carmine Jones (on the right). Co-Coach Alain Fournier on the left.

Leading those young players in the early years without a chance to play against other girls teams was a challenge (they had to play against boys teams 2 years long), but also built their "Never give up, and always give your best" mindset. This attitude for sure gave them a lot of self confidence in their personal lives, and is still a foundation of the current team's spirit.

They have grown up, stayed loyal - even in difficult times - to their team and the Stade Rugby Family, and here they are

Three of our "legacy" ladies: Caroline, Isabelle & Kaja with the LOU Féminin - Lyon's Elite Rugby Team. Stade Rugby Ladies everywhere!

We are really, really proud of you!

Your Rugby Family

Special thanks go to Etienne and Armel for making this possible : Etienne Clément former Stade Rugby Ladies coach & Armel Durand-Badel, who started to play at Stade-Rugby where he discovered his interest for referring; he's now referring for the LOU Rugby.

Pictures by Thomas Lieser