France plans “perfect” World Cup
The next Women's World Cup is only one year away. The seventh edition of the tournament will be played in France from 1st to 17th August 2014, and the French Federation are planning the "perfect" tournament.
Published by John Birch, August 1st, 2013
3 minute read
Speaking about the World Cup at a meeting to mark one year before the tournament begins, Pierre Camou, president of the FFR, said: "One year from the start of the competition, the Federation isalready fully mobilized to ensure that the organisation of theWorld Cup is perfect, because this event is one of the best showcases for the promotion of women's participationin sport in general and rugby in particular."
French captainMarie-Alice Yahé added"What ismore exciting - but also more stressful - than playing such a competition at home? Our families - our friends - will be in the stands to support us and we will all be keen to not disappoint them. A year seems a long time, but itsnot, and the team has challenges suchas theSix Nations, but the World Cup is the main target for 2014."
France has more than 13,000 registered players - up from 9,950 at the time of last World Cup, and Camou also said that the FFR seethe selection of France as hosts as "recognitionof the workof the FFR developing women's rugby - a real vote of confidence by the international rugby world".
France were fourth in 2010, have finished in third place in four World Cups, but have never reached a final - and the French Federation are determined to change that record. As a result, led by Camou, the Federation havecontroversially redesignedthe French club championship for the 2013-14 season - and beyond. The "absolute priority" of the domestic programme will from now on be to the French national teams, both fifteens and (after the World Cup) sevens.
The initial preliminaries and ranking matches for the World Cup will take place at the FFR's training centre in Linas - Marcoussis, and at Rugby Club Marcoussis. The semi-finals, third place playoff, and the final, meanwhile, will be played at Stade Jean Bouin (Paris).
The 10 teams have already qualified - New Zealand, England, Australia, France, the United States, Canada, Ireland, Wales, Spain and Samoa. Asia and Africa's representatives will be decided at the beginning of next month,