Rugby World Cup 2023 already looking to the future ｜ Rugby World ...

RWC 2023

Friday 25 August, 2023

&#183 2 min read

In a day dedicated to bringing the game of rugby to new neighborhoods, France 2023 gave an update on its ongoing CSR initiatives. Many of these will act as the foundation for Rugby World Cup 2023’s legacy.

Present on this day were French Minister for Sports, Olympics and Paralympics Games, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, the President of France 2023, Jacques Rivoal, Rugby World Cup 2023 Tournament Director, Michel Poussau, the President of the FFR, Florian Grill and LNR CEO, Emmanuel Eschalier.

Rugby World Cup 2023 aims to be a tournament with a positive impact and will set new standards in terms of social responsibility, inclusion and sustainable development for a major international sporting event.

France 2023's CSR policy promotes a sustainable and circular economy, relying on the expertise of 23 renowned French chefs - the XV de la Gastronomie - who have created nine signature sandwiches for the fans that will attend Rugby World Cup 2023. These will represent regional specialties, made with ingredients from local products.

Committed to education, training and employment, Rugby World Cup 2023, through its Official Charity Rugby au Coeur, has already donated over €1 million to support more than 250 rugby-related projects in schools, hospitals and disadvantaged neighbourhoods, benefiting over 100,000 people.

Aware of its impact on the environment, Rugby World Cup 2023 has engaged its entire ecosystem in order to reduce and then offset its emissions through a carbon absorption programme. This is the first time that an organising committee has included the indirect impact of the fan’s international travel, estimated at 350,000 tons of CO2.  In line with its responsible purchasing policy, and the recycling and waste management operations carried out since its creation, France 2023 has also strongly favoured soft and sustainable mobility solutions for the 20 participating nations. 83% of team travel between the competition venues will be done by train.

France 2023 is also committed to promote an inclusive and accessible tournament (through projects supporting children in hospitals, isolated senior citizens, people with disabilities or reduced mobility, the LGBTQIA+ community), and organised the Tournoi National des Quartiers 2023 (National Neighbourhood Tournament 2023), which brings together more than 6,000 young people aged 8 to 13 from disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the tournament’s 10 host cities. Using rugby as an educational tool for inclusion, the project will culminate in the grand national final held in Marcoussis on 27 October, alongside the bronze final of Rugby World Cup 2023.

These projects, which will inspire future Rugby World Cup organisers, will continue beyond the event thanks to the actions put in place by the FFR and the LNR. With just two weeks to go before the kick-off of the most eagerly awaited competition of the year, France 2023 is looking to forward to a bright future.

Photo credit - © Simon Mismaque / France 2023