Senegal Rugby Making Ground

Women's rugby is growing in popularity in Senegal and one French-raised player is enjoying it to the full as the Lions look to build on recent success.

Published

8 months ago

Topics

Women

People

Anthony Granja

Places

Senegal

Transcript

SCRIPT: Senegal and its capital Dakar are not generally associated with rugby. Here football is king - but the women's national rugby team has just returned from the African Cup in Morocco where they did themselves proud by reaching the semifinals. A fine achievement - especially for Aurore who won her first cap during the tournament. SOUNDBITE 1 Aurore Scanzi, Senegalese rugby international (French, woman, 10 sec) "It was a really enriching month in terms of learning things, experiencing a new culture and on a rugby level too. I am back now and in great shape." Although born in Senegal, Aurore was adopted by a French family when she was six months old and until recently had never returned to Africa. Despite being practically a stranger to her new teammates Senegal coach Anthony Granja has been impressed with her attitude. SOUNDBITE 2 - Anthony Granja, Senegalese women's rugby team coach (French, man, 16 sec) "She has adapted really well, she was happy to make the sacrifices from her daily life. The training sessions here have little in common with what she is used to, so the ease with which she adapted really pleased me." Interest in rugby is growing in Senegal and the women's game is set to follow the lead of the men's by tapping into the Senegalese diaspora in France. Aurore is the first such player and she already has her eyes set on the continental prize. SOUNDBITE 3 - Aurore Scanzi, Senegalese rugby international (French, woman, 6 sec) "I am sure that I want to get to the next Africa Cup and finish not fourth but second or even first." Aurore and the rest of the Lions efforts in Morocco have boosted confidence in the the game in Senegal. SHOTLIST: DAKAR, SENEGAL, OCTOBER 3, 2012 (SOURCE: AFPTV) - VAR rugby training in Dakar (Yoff neighbourhood) - VAR players having lunch - VAR tactics session - VAR training