Rugby: The 2024-2025 calendar unveiled!

The schedule for the new season promises some exciting duels. Third in last year's championship, the Barracudas, Saint-Barth's senior 15-a-side rugby team, will have to battle it out over the 10 days of the elite championship, to reach the semi-finals and then, perhaps, the final on June 5. In the meantime, the St. Jean stadium will be set ablaze for a particularly spectacular February and March 2025, with the Barracudas hosting defending champions Good Luck de Gosier on February 5, and Bruc des Abymes on March 15. These are the same Abymiens who eliminated Saint-Barth at the final hurdle last year. And let's not forget the inevitable Derby des Iles du Nord, which this season will be played on Saint-Martinoise soil, against the Archiball on March 29.

As for the women's team Rascasses de Saint Barth - Archigirls de Saint-Martin, five championship dates await the rugbywomen of the Northern Isles until June 5, in addition to the traditional tournaments, Antilles Seven Series in Martinique and Ribeaut in Guadeloupe. Incidentally, the Rascasses will have the privilege of hosting the first day of the championship at the Stade de Saint Jean on November 30. Alongside the opening of the women's championship, Saint-Jean will also host the first senior XV rugby event of the year, reserved for "espoirs" (players under 23 years of age), known soberly as the Challenge U23.

Finally, let's talk about the youngsters and the rugby school of the Barracudas association... On November 30, the under-10s will take part in the Maurice Tardits Tournament in Saint Martin, while the entire rugby school will be taking part in the Marius Domont Tournament. The Saint Barth player, now a professional with RC Toulon, is planning a very special event in Le Moule on December 14. This will be followed by 7 tournaments over the next 7 months for young rugby players from Saint Barth, with trips to Guadeloupe and Martinique. It's clear that rugby is taking advantage of the gold medal it won at the Paris Olympics to expand its calendar of events, even at amateur level, to the delight of fans of the oval ball.