the children’s rugby clinic that brought together Europe’s strongest champion with an Argentine club that prioritizes training and inclusion

This time they are not wearing their light blue shirt, white pants and red socks. The color of the clothing is optional, except for the T-shirt, red on one side and white on the other as it is reversible. And the hat, red and mandatory because the temperature is almost 40 degrees. The Union Saint Patrick was the venue for a children’s rugby clinic organized in the country by representatives of the Toulouse Stadium from Francethe most powerful champion in Europe who wants to spread his philosophy of fun and creativity in sport.

It took place on December 5, 6 and 7 last year on the Caamaño Street side, which housed dozens of shops, municipal security booths and the club, which, according to its president Guillermo LlousasThe motto is “One club, one family”. Agustin Lauzurica“Prodigal son of the house,” said the boss of “Sanpa,” reinforced this idea with the words: “This club is my family.”

The following applies to the current club management: If the internal ties are strong, the sporting results will come sooner or later. For Llousas, having the Stade Toulousain on St Patrick’s Day is “a source of pride”.

But this idea isn’t just about two men in the story of an institution founded just over half a century ago. It happens to the new generations who, in some cases, manage to “feel part of something” by joining the ranks of the different categories. Among them were those who attended the clinic, whose rule seemed more like a lesson: “Whoever comes last dances”.

In high temperatures, the boys were under the supervision of Lauzurica and the French rugby legend from early morning to late afternoon Emile Ntamack. With appropriate frequency he gave the command to go drink water. Of course, upon returning, the “teachers” began to set a rhythm with their palms, a sign that it was time to come together again for the next exercise. Whoever arrives last has to dance in front of their classmates. Respect rules, slogans, authority, respect for your partner, but above all friendly laughter when you see how the “punished” person fulfills the obligation with joy and rhythm.

The words “support” and encouraging statements were the hallmark of the time, much more than tactical questions and ideas about how to win or take hits. Help your partner. Stade Toulousain’s methodology and philosophy are interconnected, said Ntamack Clarion in joy, fun and creativity. “The clinic is designed to make them want to continue playing the sport,” he said.

Ntamack was a figure on the French rugby team in the 90s. Semi-finalist at the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, marked by the political, sporting and social rise of Nelson Mandela, who was born in Lyon 55 years ago, has fun with the children and is tempted by the grills lit in the club.

He told Clarín that the goal was the clinics It’s not about recruiting young talentbut to show them that they can get to where he has arrived. “When we were children we had the same dreams as today. Maybe they are future Cougars,” he enthused, without losing sight of the fact that “the secret of the philosophy and methodology that they want to spread is “finding a training context in which it is fun and in which the player can have fun.”

Lolo, one of the boys who took part and represents San Patricio in friendly matches against other clubs every weekend, described the experience as “phenomenal”. “We learned a lot and what I liked most was when they signed our cap and jersey and played as a team, which is the most important thing.”

He also defined his club Lolo as a “family”. Manu, who is also a member of the M10 (category for children under 10), rated the clinic “10 out of 10 and good vibes”. For Octavio, “the concepts” they were taught were “pretty interesting.”

The boys’ fatigue didn’t stop them throughout the weekend. After long days of training, they were surprised to ask in the afternoon whether they had to leave now or whether they could continue playing rugby for a while.

“You’re rude, aren’t you,” he warned of Ntamack and Lauzurica, then recalled that he enjoyed and was fascinated by learning the “haka” they taught him. A ritual that they performed in a circle together with their teachers, who occasionally traveled from France.

They practiced it, they sang it, they learned it step by step, expression by expression and faster and faster. Usually at the end of each day, but always, with a final round of applause to congratulate each other.

“Every sport welcomes you, invites you to be part of something. What rugby means is that you can be important and it doesn’t matter if you have physical difficulties. You are small, you can play; you are big, you can play; you are slow, you can play; you are fast, you can play,” said Lauzurica, trained as a rugby player and as a human being, in his words, based on his personal history, to Clarín.

And he added: “In this sport, with a little feeling you are already part of a team and important. You can play with attitude. You can play with a good heart and love your teammates.”

“This club is my family,” he said, his voice cracking as he smiled as he explained why he enjoys working with children. “It’s great to come into contact with the little ones. I enjoy playing with them in training and being in contact with them, not just throwing the ball,” he added.

They posed for photos, welcomed children from other clubs who wanted to join in and ended the rugby year as none of them had imagined, in February, as the busy year of training and games began.

In the “Ingoal” of 2025, they look for the goal with the ball under their arm to avoid tackles and they have learned from those who have welcomed Argentine figures like Juan Cruz Mallía or Santiago Chocobares from the other side of the Atlantic, Pumas who are another example of the boys who, in addition to trying, also try to make their dreams come true. The second communicated with the boys via video call during a video session.

The boys celebrated contact with another of the club’s prodigals, as many others celebrated a try during a first division game. “The big ones” that they want to stay with and see every week.

And amidst so many trophies in the display cases of the almighty Stade Toulousain, Lauzurica looks once again at Caamaño’s team to reiterate: “I reiterate it more and more. There is nothing like our clubs.”