Monegasque Rugby Federation
Sports governing body in Monaco
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Monegasque Rugby Federation (French: Fédération Monégasque de Rugby) is the governing body for the sport of rugby union in Monaco. The union was established in 1996.[1]
| Fédération Monégasque de Rugby | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sport | Rugby union |
| Founded | 1996 |
| World Rugby affiliation | 1998 |
| Rugby Europe affiliation | 1996 |
| President | Charlene, Princess of Monaco |
| Men's coach | Nicolas Bonnet |
| Women's coach | Fabien Camin |
| Website | www |
History
Before the founding of the Monegasque Rugby Federation, rugby in Monaco was predominantly represented by the AS Monaco Rugby (founded 1964) which played in the French rugby union system.[1] In 1987, the Tournoi de Rugby à 7 de Monte-Carlo (transl. Monte Carlo Rugby sevens Tournament) was officially created.[2] In 1996, after the AS Monaco was invited to join the rugby unions of Switzerland, Andorra and Luxembourg, the Monegasque Rugby Federation was founded,[3][4] and joined the International Rugby Board in 1998.[5]
Since 2009, the Monegasque Rugby Federation has hosted the Sainte Dévote Tournament annually for international under-12 teams, [6][7] which also include an annual match between Monaco and Lucciana, Corsica.[8]
In 2017, Charlene, Princess of Monaco and the Monegasque Rugby Federation founded the Monaco Impis rugby sevens team, a team representing Monaco but composed of other international players.[9] In 2023, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation organised an exchange programme between the Monagasque Rugby Federation and South Africa, allowing Monegasque teams to enter South African rugby tournaments.[10] In 2024 at the Dubai Sevens, the Monegasque Rugby Federation sent three teams with Monaco Impis Development and Monaco Under-16s. The Monaco Impis won the tournament.[11] As a result of her support for Monagasque rugby, Princess Charlene was appointed as president of the Monegasque Rugby Federation.[12]