12/12/2023 News
Women’s rugby: TotalEnergies - major partner of Lons Section Paloise Féminin
- TotalEnergies is the major partner of the Section Paloise Béarn Pyrénées and also backed the Rugby World Cup 2023 France.
- TotalEnergies shares the values of rugby, and is determined to step up its involvement in the rugby world as well as its presence in the region, by supporting the empowered players in the sport.
- With this new partnership, established on the same basis as for the men’s team, TotalEnergies wants to contribute to the growing popularity of women’s rugby and help change the status of its players.
Around fifty people gathered together at the Hameau Stadium in Pau on December 11, to celebrate the signature of a partnership between TotalEnergies and the Lons Section Paloise Women’s rugby club. Namita Shah, a member of the Board of Directors at TotalEnergies alongside Patrick Pouyanné, made a special trip to the Béarn region to witness the Company’s commitment.
TotalEnergies’ relationship with rugby is no secret here in South-West France, as the multi-energies Company has been a partner of the Top 14 French rugby league team, the Section Paloise Béarn Pyrénées, since 1988. TotalEnergies also got involved with the events of the Rugby World Cup 2023 France, sharing its enthusiasm for this sport that holds strong values and regional attachment, with as many people as possible.
The players at the club in Lons have been wearing TotalEnergies’ colors as part of their sports kit since the 2018/2019 season but, with the signature of this direct partnership with the Lons Section Paloise Rugby Féminin, a major milestone has been reached. The objective is to first, help the club to remain at the highest sporting level for as long as possible. It’s also to reinforce the overarching project of the Section Paloise Rugby Pro - whose societal ambitions recently earned it a CSR Oscar at the famous Rugby Night on Canal+ - i.e. to be part of both the men’s and women’s sporting elite.
Unanimously dubbed ‘an historical occasion’
At what was a true "family gathering" in the presence of François Bayrou, Mayor of Pau, the admirable work of the club, driven by its Presidents Jeff Lombard and Patrice Lauga, was acknowledged by everyone present, as was the dedication and determination of its players. The series of speeches that followed all mentioned the historical aspect of the event. Jeff Lombard in particular emphasized how "lucky and honored" they were to have a multi-national company take an interest in the club and the challenges it is tackling to develop the status of its players, who are currently all unpaid non-professionals. A major, memorable step toward professionalization has been made with this partnership.
Namitah Shah, also President of the OneTech branch in the multi-energies Company, which has its largest site in Pau said she was honored and delighted. The partnership is a natural step for the Company, designed to build a wonderful, sustainable project together, to foster the growth of women’s rugby in our region. We are all extremely proud.
TotalEnergies is also a partner of women’s football in Africa since 2018 and has been sponsoring the International Women’s Cycling Tour of the Pyrenees for two years now. Backing women’s sport is an investment in equality, health, emancipation, leadership and inspiration, in particular by giving its athletes center stage.
TotalEnergies also made its 3-year partnership with the French National Rugby league official up to the 2025-2026 season. The multi-energies Company thereby becomes an official partner of the TOP 14 and will support the development of the PRO D2 league.
