Tournoi Sainte Dévote

The Sainte Dévote Rugby Tournament organized by the Monegasque Federation of Rugby in collaboration with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation was back for its 12th edition at the Stade Louis Il of Monaco.

[#Water Safety]

On Thursday 18^th of April, ahead of the Sainte Dévote Rugby Tournament, over 96 children took part in aquatic activities at the Stade Louis II swimming pool, in the presence of HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco.

These activities were organised by the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and supervised by Pierre Frolla and his team from the Académie Monégasque de la Mer, with the support of the Monaco Red Cross.

The children, from 8 U-1 2 teams who arrived before the start of the tournament (South Africa, Ivory Coast, Greece, Mauritius, India, Ecuador, United States, Georgia), took part in various drowning prevention and first aid workshops in turn: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Ball games (for non-swimmers), Water toss, Water polo, Tube buoys, Water course, Diving activity.

These activities are a way to introduce the Foundation’s missions to these young people from all over the world, while allowing them to acquire the basics of rescue in a fun way. Most of these young people have never experienced this type of activity, and it is therefore a first new experience to motivate them before the start of the international tournament.

[#Sport & Education]

On Saturday, April 20th, at the Stade Louis-II, the 12th edition of the Sainte Dévote Rugby Tournament was held, organized by the Monegasque Rugby Federation in partnership with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation.

In the presence of T.H.S. Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, this international rugby 7s tournament welcomed a record number of participants, with 24 U-12 teams from 21 countries: South Africa, England, Andorra, Belgium, Ivory Coast, United Arab Emirates, Greece, Mauritius, Italy, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Ecuador, Spain, United States, France Georgia, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Switzerland. During the opening ceremony, each team paraded to present its colours.

Earlier on Friday morning, the “Rugby for All” activity offered courses adapted to children and young adults with disabilities, and the “Rugby Tots” activities accompanied children from 2 to 7 years old in their first steps with an oval ball.

After two days of matches, the Bulls BBRU team from South Africa won the international tournament trophy thanks to their victory in the final against Montpellier Hérault Rugby from Montpellier.

LL.AA.SS. Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene presented the trophy to the winning team of the tournament.

This year, the trophy for the best player of the tournament was awarded to Louis St-Hill of the Monaco team.

Antoine Zeghdar, sponsor of the tournament, rugby union player with Castres Olympique and the French rugby 7s team, was delighted with this day of competition: “I am very honoured to be the sponsor of the Sainte Dévote Tournament 2024. This international competition for young people is for me a great moment of rugby in which I have participated for a long time as a volunteer, and which has allowed me to meet great players. Through this type of tournament, the Princess Charlene Foundation has objectives that particularly touch me: education through sport, the meeting of different cultures and the promotion of rugby values such as respect, courage and solidarity”.