After two editions cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, one might have feared a loss of experience and possible difficulties in organizing the 27th edition of the UniLaSalle Ovalies, the most important university rugby tournament in Europe. Nothing of the sort happened.

On the contrary, the organizing team, composed entirely of Lasallian students from the Beauvais campus, was able to remobilize teams and partners to make this edition a real success. The 50,000 euros donated to Une ballade pour Justine et Lou, the Serge Betsen Academy and the Arche de Beauvais, the three associations supported during this event, are proof of this.

The check presentation took place this Tuesday, October 10, 2022 in the wedding room of the Beauvais City Hall in the presence of Franck Pia, mayor of Beauvais, Dimitri Yachvili, godfather of the 27th UniLaSalle Ovalies, Serge Betsen, former international player of the XV of France, representatives of the Arche community and many partners.

"I would like to congratulate Paul [editor's note: president of the 27th UniLaSalle Ovalies] and his team for the organization; it is really exceptional in France!" declared Dimitri Yachvili, godfather of this edition and president of the association Une ballade pour Justine et Lou. The former French national team international said that the check given to his association will be used to finance a grant for research on juvenile arthritis.

Serge Betsen, who came as president of the Serge Betsen Academy, whose association, which works in Cameroon and recently in Mali, is benefiting for the second time from a donation from the Ovalies UniLaSalle, said the same thing. "You embody so well these values of sharing and generosity. Thanks to you, we will be able to continue our actions in favor of access to education or the fight against malaria and parasites."

The enthusiasm was also palpable on the side of l'Arche in Beauvais, whose representative was accompanied by some members of the community: "Thank you all, for the donation for people with disabilities. A big thank you on behalf of l'Arche, which defends an inclusive society."

Satisfaction finally from the side of the city of Beauvais. "This great tournament has the full support of the city of Beauvais. In view of the attendance and the passion it arouses in the world of rugby, I must say that we, the elected officials of Beauvais, welcome this event with great pleasure," said Franck Pia, Mayor of Beauvais.

The results of the 27th UniLaSalle Ovalies

• 65 participating teams in 4 tournaments: 21 teams in women's sevens, 28 teams in men's sevens and 12 teams in men's fifteens and 4 teams in wheelchair rugby (a first in Europe)   
• 1205 players   
• 10 referees   
• 155 matches   
• 1660 hours of play   
• 550 volunteers   
• Ecofest label thanks to the efforts made in favor of sustainable development (recycling of collected cigarette butts, reusable cutlery, waste sorting, accessibility of the site...)

A good result that was well worth the congratulations of Jérôme Colin, Director of the Educational Mission and Student Life. "After the Covid, we wondered: will they succeed? The team was exceptional: you went even further. The whole school is very proud of this edition. Bravo and thank you!"