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JEAN MICHEL CANET ACADEMY
CONSERVATORY OF MEMORIES OF CATALAN RUGBY
Rugbys
Rugby League
After the Rugby Football Union refused to allow clubs in the north of England to pay their working-class players for lost working days, in 1895 at Huddersfield's St Georges Hotel, teams from the Leeds and Manchester areas seceded and created the Northern Rugby Football Union, forerunner of today's Rugby Football League, which in 1906 reduced the number of players from 15 to 13, with two fewer forwards. More than a century later, Northern England remains the European bastion, ahead of France, of a discipline dominated worldwide by Australia, the national sport of New Guinea Papua, and widespread in New Zealand and the various Pacific islands. As early as 1907, Wales took up XIII rugby, followed by New Zealand the following year, leading to the creation of an international federation in 1927. In 1934, France too was gripped by XIII fever, at a time when the French national team was banned from the 5 Nations tournament for violence and amateurism. But during the Occupation, certain FFR directors took advantage of their close ties with Vichy to obtain, in 1940, a ban on the XIII, whose governing bodies were dissolved and its assets seized. After the war, when competitions resumed, the FFR was granted exclusive use of the term “rugby”, forcing XIII to call itself “Jeu à XIII”, a legal pirouette which avoided the restitution of “stolen goods”. The “XIII game” continued to develop, however, and in 1954 organized its first World Cup, the final of which was held at the Parc des Princes. But intoxicated by its popular success, the French XIII, which happily drew from the stars of the fifties, disregarded youth training, and its aura gradually withered, as did its national team, whose last outstanding achievement came in 1990, when it beat Great Britain in Leeds. However, three years later, the French Federation won its case against the FFR and regained the right to use the term rugby à XIII. In 2006, with the entry of the Catalan Dragons into the British Super League, French XIII rugby was back in the spotlight, even if its national team still struggled to compete with England and other southern hemisphere nations.
Women's Rugby League
Rugby is at home in Pézilla! Everything breathes it and everything brings us back to it. The "yellow and black" on the windows, to recall a recent title and the Armel Costa stadium which stands proudly at the edge of a busy road, bearing the name of a famous player, leader of a long list of illustrious teammates. In short, the Jean Michel Canet Academy (Catalan Rugby Memory Center) could not have found a more beautiful place, a more emblematic village to hold its annual general meeting, the 15th of its name. And this number is also a symbol, after the 13th which took place in Estagel… On this Saturday, June 29, gloomy outside, but so warm and bright inside, the president Yves TARISCON had gathered the members of the association in a new municipal hall, next to the stadium, the scene of many exploits. At his side were the mayor of the commune Jean Paul BILLES, Joseph RESPAUT, one of the founding members of the Academy, Jacques VILLEPONTOUX, treasurer and Louis CARLES, vice-president. The words of the mayor of Pézilla opened the session. He set the scene by congratulating himself on the national title won, 8 days earlier, by the Entente de la Têt, then evoked the memory of the elders whose life revolved around the family, of course, but also the "land" and the "oval". COMMISSIONS AND PROJECTS The screening of a film on the history of the Academy, created in 2006, was followed by the reading of the moral report by Yves TARISCON, who recalled the many activities of the Academy (from the exhibition co-organized with the association "Visa pour l'Image" from November 2025 to June 2026, to the series of conferences in preparation, under the expert direction of Pierrot AYLAGAS, including the establishment of 4 commissions with diverse and essential missions, such as communication, projects or finances). And his conclusion was on the dimension of the vocation that drives the Academy, attached to memories and memory, but resolutely turned towards the future, because "in our blood flows the love of rugby, a rugby that aims, he said, to carry values necessary for our youth, namely respect, sharing and solidarity". The memory, very present therefore throughout the morning, allowed to pay tribute to René MONIE, international quinziste and Irénée CARRERE, international thirteenists whose daughters evoked the memory with emotion, love and kindness. Treasurer Jacques VILLEPONTOUX for his part accomplished with precision the thankless task of listing the figures for the past financial year, showing a surplus of 333 euros. Financial report approved. SPOTLIGHT ON THE EXHIBITION Jean Luc SORET, on behalf of the association "Visa pour l'Image", gave an overview of the November 2025 exhibition, listing the chapters and themes that will illustrate it. A rugby historian, Francis MEIGNAN, succeeded him on the podium to present his remarkable research and compilation work (Encyclopedias, books, files). He will be a major reinforcement for the Academy. The strong words of Louis CARLES closed the work of the Assembly, words summarized as follows: "After the land, Catalanness, there is rugby, it is the only link that remains to us!". The final moment of the ordinary Assembly, the Extraordinary General Assembly to modify 2 articles of the statutes, namely the date of the AGM and the number of members of the Board of Directors increased to around thirty.
Women's Rugby Union
Women's rugby union appeared in France in the 1960s. It was gradually organized in the French Women's Rugby Association, then in the French Women's Rugby Federation before being taken over by the French Rugby Federation in 1989. Its rules are strictly identical to those of men's rugby.
Rugby Union
Rugby is at home in Pézilla! Everything breathes it and everything brings us back to it. The "yellow and black" on the windows, to recall a recent title and the Armel Costa stadium which stands proudly at the edge of a busy road, bearing the name of a famous player, leader of a long list of illustrious teammates. In short, the Jean Michel Canet Academy (Catalan Rugby Memory Center) could not have found a more beautiful place, a more emblematic village to hold its annual general meeting, the 15th of its name. And this number is also a symbol, after the 13th which took place in Estagel… On this Saturday, June 29, gloomy outside, but so warm and bright inside, the president Yves TARISCON had gathered the members of the association in a new municipal hall, next to the stadium, the scene of many exploits. At his side were the mayor of the commune Jean Paul BILLES, Joseph RESPAUT, one of the founding members of the Academy, Jacques VILLEPONTOUX, treasurer and Louis CARLES, vice-president. The words of the mayor of Pézilla opened the session. He set the scene by congratulating himself on the national title won, 8 days earlier, by the Entente de la Têt, then evoked the memory of the elders whose life revolved around the family, of course, but also the "land" and the "oval". COMMISSIONS AND PROJECTS The screening of a film on the history of the Academy, created in 2006, was followed by the reading of the moral report by Yves TARISCON, who recalled the many activities of the Academy (from the exhibition co-organized with the association "Visa pour l'Image" from November 2025 to June 2026, to the series of conferences in preparation, under the expert direction of Pierrot AYLAGAS, including the establishment of 4 commissions with diverse and essential missions, such as communication, projects or finances). And his conclusion was on the dimension of the vocation that drives the Academy, attached to memories and memory, but resolutely turned towards the future, because "in our blood flows the love of rugby, a rugby that aims, he said, to carry values necessary for our youth, namely respect, sharing and solidarity". The memory, very present therefore throughout the morning, allowed to pay tribute to René MONIE, international quinziste and Irénée CARRERE, international thirteenists whose daughters evoked the memory with emotion, love and kindness. Treasurer Jacques VILLEPONTOUX for his part accomplished with precision the thankless task of listing the figures for the past financial year, showing a surplus of 333 euros. Financial report approved. SPOTLIGHT ON THE EXHIBITION Jean Luc SORET, on behalf of the association "Visa pour l'Image", gave an overview of the November 2025 exhibition, listing the chapters and themes that will illustrate it. A rugby historian, Francis MEIGNAN, succeeded him on the podium to present his remarkable research and compilation work (Encyclopedias, books, files). He will be a major reinforcement for the Academy. The strong words of Louis CARLES closed the work of the Assembly, words summarized as follows: "After the land, Catalanness, there is rugby, it is the only link that remains to us!". The final moment of the ordinary Assembly, the Extraordinary General Assembly to modify 2 articles of the statutes, namely the date of the AGM and the number of members of the Board of Directors increased to around thirty.
Rugby Sevens
Born in 1883 in Melrose (Scotland), rugby sevens is played according to the rules of XV, with some adaptations related to the small number of players, on a normal field but with a duration of matches reduced from 80 to 14 minutes. Long considered as a sport of beginning or end of season for the fifteen players, it gained momentum in the second half of the 20th century and became a major sport when it was admitted in 2009 to the Olympic Games of Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Rugby 9-a-side
The first Rugby League Nines World Cup, a sport similar to rugby sevens and played by rugby league players since the 1990s, took place in Australia in 2019, with the participation of twelve nations, including France.
The matches last 15 minutes, with rules that are essentially identical to those of rugby league, and a tournament bringing together French Super XIII clubs is organized each year as a prologue to this.
International rugby
On the international level, there are official XV competitions for men (Six Nations Tournament, World Cup, Autumn Rugby, etc.). World Rugby, a descendant of the International Board, manages them. It does the same for women (World Cup, Six Nations Tournament, World XV, etc.) and for rugby sevens (World Rugby Seven). The Olympic events are managed by the International Olympic Committee. The International Rugby League does the same for rugby league (World Cup, World Club Challenge, etc.
Beach Rugby
V rugby was invented by the FFR in the 21st century to make rugby more accessible to a wider public in a more entertaining form, without bumping or tackling. It is played on a half-court, in matches lasting between 10 and 20 minutes. Teams can be men's, women's or mixed (with at least two women). The rules are similar to those of beach rugby, derived from XV rugby, but foot play is allowed, in the form of a pass to a partner. If the ball is not volleyed, the opponent is awarded a penalty.
Rugby Armchair
Handi Rugby or XIII Fauteuil is played according to the rules of rugby league, in a wheelchair and is 100% mixed, mixing people with disabilities, able-bodied people, women and men, of all ages and from all backgrounds, playing on the same field and in the same team.
The principle is that 2 teams of 5 players (5 substitutes maximum) compete for 2 times 40 minutes on a handball field, the tackles being replaced by the tearing off of the TAG (armband) worn by the players.
Rugby Armchair
Handi Rugby or XIII Fauteuil is played according to the rules of rugby league, in a wheelchair and is 100% mixed, mixing people with disabilities, able-bodied people, women and men, of all ages and from all backgrounds, playing on the same field and in the same team.
The principle is that 2 teams of 5 players (5 substitutes maximum) compete for 2 times 40 minutes on a handball field, the tackles being replaced by the tearing off of the TAG (armband) worn by the players.
Beach Rugby
Beach rugby is mainly a recreational rugby, played barefoot on a sandy pitch, the size of half a normal pitch. Only hand play is allowed. There is no touch, no scrum, no penalty kick. Depending on whether it is derived from XV or XIII, the tackle can be replaced by a touch of the ball carrier with two hands. Matches last only ten minutes.
Beach Rugby
Rugby is at home in Pézilla! Everything breathes it and everything brings us back to it. The "yellow and black" on the windows, to recall a recent title and the Armel Costa stadium which stands proudly at the edge of a busy road, bearing the name of a famous player, leader of a long list of illustrious teammates. In short, the Jean Michel Canet Academy (Catalan Rugby Memory Center) could not have found a more beautiful place, a more emblematic village to hold its annual general meeting, the 15th of its name. And this number is also a symbol, after the 13th which took place in Estagel… On this Saturday, June 29, gloomy outside, but so warm and bright inside, the president Yves TARISCON had gathered the members of the association in a new municipal hall, next to the stadium, the scene of many exploits. At his side were the mayor of the commune Jean Paul BILLES, Joseph RESPAUT, one of the founding members of the Academy, Jacques VILLEPONTOUX, treasurer and Louis CARLES, vice-president. The words of the mayor of Pézilla opened the session. He set the scene by congratulating himself on the national title won, 8 days earlier, by the Entente de la Têt, then evoked the memory of the elders whose life revolved around the family, of course, but also the "land" and the "oval". COMMISSIONS AND PROJECTS The screening of a film on the history of the Academy, created in 2006, was followed by the reading of the moral report by Yves TARISCON, who recalled the many activities of the Academy (from the exhibition co-organized with the association "Visa pour l'Image" from November 2025 to June 2026, to the series of conferences in preparation, under the expert direction of Pierrot AYLAGAS, including the establishment of 4 commissions with diverse and essential missions, such as communication, projects or finances). And his conclusion was on the dimension of the vocation that drives the Academy, attached to memories and memory, but resolutely turned towards the future, because "in our blood flows the love of rugby, a rugby that aims, he said, to carry values necessary for our youth, namely respect, sharing and solidarity". The memory, very present therefore throughout the morning, allowed to pay tribute to René MONIE, international quinziste and Irénée CARRERE, international thirteenists whose daughters evoked the memory with emotion, love and kindness. Treasurer Jacques VILLEPONTOUX for his part accomplished with precision the thankless task of listing the figures for the past financial year, showing a surplus of 333 euros. Financial report approved. SPOTLIGHT ON THE EXHIBITION Jean Luc SORET, on behalf of the association "Visa pour l'Image", gave an overview of the November 2025 exhibition, listing the chapters and themes that will illustrate it. A rugby historian, Francis MEIGNAN, succeeded him on the podium to present his remarkable research and compilation work (Encyclopedias, books, files). He will be a major reinforcement for the Academy. The strong words of Louis CARLES closed the work of the Assembly, words summarized as follows: "After the land, Catalanness, there is rugby, it is the only link that remains to us!". The final moment of the ordinary Assembly, the Extraordinary General Assembly to modify 2 articles of the statutes, namely the date of the AGM and the number of members of the Board of Directors increased to around thirty.