Women’s rugby: "A wind of change" with TotalEnergies

• On December 11, 2023, a three-year partnership agreement was signed by TotalEnergies and the Lons Section Paloise Women’s Rugby Club along the same lines as the partnership with the Section’s men’s team.
• Through this partnership, the Company promotes women’s rugby and gender equality in sport.
• Financial support, pride and synergies - we look back on a year’s partnership with the President, Jean-François Lombard, and Élodie Poublan, former international player and manager of the women’s team.

“Our corporate colors have been worn with pride for decades, with our logo displayed on the rugby shirts worn by the Top 14 players in the Section Paloise Béarn Pyrenées. A year ago, we decided to extend our support to women’s rugby, by backing the Lionsoises. More than just financial sponsors, it is part of our DNA to be partners whose input is based on enthusiasm and optimism. We are actually determined to include our staff in this process - they are more than willing to show their passion for the most popular sport in our region! This interview is a perfect illustration of what motivates us to action. “Thank you and well done to the club for the work they’ve done over this first partnership year,” enthuses Jérôme Poncet, Head of the TotalEnergies Site in Pau.
 

How do things stand for you just a year after signing the partnership?

Jean-François Lombard: Let’s not beat about the bush, this partnership - which represents about a quarter of our budget - has first and foremost given us financial peace of mind. It’s much easier for us now to organize travel and accommodation for our 170 players throughout France. As well as that, it has encouraged us to become more professional and formally define our purpose: "to train and support young women in their journey toward sporting excellence, while respecting universal human values so that they can fulfill their potential in their passion for playing women’s rugby, and feel accomplished in their lives as active, responsible women."

Élodie Poublan: I’d also add that the partnership has given us a great deal of pride - pride in being recognized by one of the leading French companies, TotalEnergies, who support us over and above financial considerations. For example, our partner put us in touch with the Sport Five communication agency that works with the Section Paloise, which has trained the spotlight on women’s rugby and our club on social media (Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.). We have created a TikTok account to reach out to younger girls and attract new members.

How has the partnership helped you grow and develop?

J-F. L: When you’re standing opposite one of the leading French companies which is well-meaning, people-focused and ready to share its skills across the board, it’s impossible not to set your sights higher. The partnership has encouraged us to become more professional and ask ourselves questions about issues such as ethics, the feminization of managerial jobs - 56% today -, the health and well-being of the players, training, management, and so on. The agreement signed with TotalEnergies was an opportunity to structure the club, review our statutes, rules and regulations, and strengthen our executive committee. We have laid the foundations for a new organization chart in which the position of Sports Manager continues to hold. 

TotalEnergies is recognized locally as a leading player in rugby, partner of the Séction Paloise since 1988, etc. How does this long-standing relationship benefit women’s rugby?

J-F. L: Women’s rugby is at a watershed. For the first time in 2024, the Elite 1 team matches were broadcast on Canal+. The fact that TotalEnergies has shown an interest in women’s rugby and signed a partnership with the Lons Séction Paloise Women’s Rugby Club, has brought a wind of change to the sport, which has been considered as a “man’s world” for too long. It’s a fresh start for us! It also highlights our partner’s determination to level the playing field for women’s and men’s teams. Today, the Section Paloise represents both male and female players, not just women overshadowed by their male counterparts.

What were the club’s results like in 2024?

E.P: The 2024 season yielded some promising results. All teams included (12-15 years, 16-18 years, and over-18), we chalked up 70% wins. The players in the Elite 2 women’s team, who wear TotalEnergies’ colors, won all 8 of the 8 matches played. The players in the second team also won all their matches. Our aim now is to be promoted to Elite 1 and stay there for several seasons! It’s our sports project and a wonderful challenge for the club.

Have you forged links with TotalEnergies staff through this partnership?

J-F. L: The fact that the CSTJF is not far away makes it much easier to share ideas and discuss rugby. A lot of the TotalEnergies staff are passionate about rugby and are increasingly attending women’s fixtures. Our players regularly go to referee matches in-house at the company and lead events focused on women’s rugby. Our coaches also speak at managerial seminars to promote the values of rugby that can be easily transposed to the world of work. It’s a win-win partnership where everyone finds their niche.