Societe Generale and rugby

Societe Generale became the official bank of french rugby in 1987. Today, the bank promotes its brand from grassroot to top level and is strongly associated with rugby's values. This deeply-rooted commitment has actually started at the beginning of the last century.

1903-1930 The beginnings
1968-1988 A strong commitment to Rugby
1991-2019 The amplification of our commitment

1903-1930The beginnings

1903 Creation of the “Club Athlétique de la Société Générale” (CASG)

Societe Generale creates in France the “Club Athlétique de la Société Générale” (Societe Generale’s Athletics Club), or CASG. In the era of amateur sport, CASG quickly establishes itself as one of Europe’s top athletic clubs.

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1919 The French Rugby Federation (Fédération Française de Rugby or FFR) is founded

1924-1925 Financing of the Jean Bouin Stadium

Societe Generale finances the construction of the Jean Bouin Stadium in Paris.

Find out more: Societe Generale on every rugby field!

1920s - 1930s Successful rise of the rugby branch of CASG

During the interwar period, the first rugby team of the Societe Generale’s Athletics Club (CASG), nicknamed Les Banquiers (the Bankers), includes about 10 French international players and plays exhibition games to promote the practice of rugby.

Read more about : The pioneers of the French national rugby team

1968-1988A strong commitment to Rugby

1968 The French XV won the Grand Slam at the Five Nations tournament for the first time

1984 The Group sets up the Jean Bouin-Societe Generale Challenge Cup, for the third-place of the French Championship

1985 Sponsorship of the “XV de France hospitality village

Societe Generale first shows interest for the French national team with the sponsorship of the “XV de France hospitality village”, which allows the Group to organise client events.

Read more about : Providing steadfast support for the French team

1987 Societe Generale signs a partnership agreement with the French Rugby Federation (FFR)

That same year sees the launch of the “10,000 rugby balls for schools” initiative, through which the bank promotes the sport of rugby at schools and training centres.
The first Rugby World Cup is held in New Zealand and Australia.

Read more about : Societe Generale and the FFF: a winning team

Farr-Jones © M. Francotte / FFR-Société Générale Serge Blanco

1988 The very first “Talent d’Or Société Générale” is awarded

Presented at the end of a French XV rugby match to the best player as voted by television viewers, the prize grows into a real institution in the world of French rugby.

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1991-2019The amplification of our commitment

1991 Sponsor of the Rugby World Cup for the first time

Faithful to its aspirations, Societe Generale steps up its commitment to the world of rugby as a first-time sponsor of the Rugby World Cup. A major first move to reflect the Group's dedication to a sport that shares the same values.

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1995 Rugby becomes a professional sport

Combining a career as a world-class rugby player with a career at Societe Generale group has proved to be a winning formula for several players since rugby became a professional sport in 1995.

Read more about : When rugbymen become bankers.

1998 A partnership is launched between Societe Generale and the French National Rugby League (LNR)

Societe Generale maintains its special relationship with the French Championship, which was opened up to professional players in 1998, notably through numerous promotional operations for the now professional game of rugby, from the “Trophée des Essais” (Try Trophy) award created in 2003 to the “Journées des Ambassadeurs” (Ambassadors’ Days), which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2014.

1999 Societe Generale is Official Sponsor of the Rugby World Cup

Societe Generale is Official Sponsor of the second Rugby World Cup to be held in the UK. Wales was the principal host nation with many matches also being played in England, Scotland and Ireland, as well as in France.

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2001 Societe Generale supports Rugby Sevens, which is set to become an Olympic sport at the 2016 Rio Olympics

2002 The French National Rugby Centre is inaugurated

As Official Sponsor of the French national rugby team, the Group contributed to the financing of the centre settled in Marcoussis near Paris, which is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art facilities and is open to the wider rugby community.

2007 Rugby World Cup 2007

France hosts the 2007 Rugby World Cup and Societe Generale becomes Worldwide Partner of the event for the first time at this level.

2011 Partner of the Rugby World Cup held in New Zealand

2012 “Because we love rugby”

Societe Generale celebrates 25 years of commitment to rugby.

2013 “Societe Generale Sevens”

“Societe Generale Sevens”, France’s Rugby Sevens University Championship, open to both male and female teams, is launched.

2015 Worldwide Partner of the Rugby World Cup held in England

After nearly 30 years of partnership, Societe Generale has not only been a loyal partner of local rugby (closely involved with nearly 450 amateur clubs), of professional rugby and of the French national team, but, through its international subsidiaries, the Bank also supports the sport’s development in many other countries, from Luxembourg to Hong Kong and from Senegal to Turkey.

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2016 Renewing its commitment to the FFR

Societe Generale renews its commitment to the French Rugby Federation of almost 30 years for 6 more years.

2016 Societe Generale supports the development of rugby in India

Societe Generale is Financial Partner of Rugby India and Title Sponsor of the Indian National Rugby Sevens Team, across all categories (Senior, Women and Junior).

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2019 Societe Generale is Worldwide Partner and official bank of Rugby World Cup 2019

Societe Generale is Worldwide Partner and official bank of Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan for the sixth consecutive year.

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