Access match Grenoble-Montpellier: “It’s thanks to the MHR that I’m still alive…”, when passion is passed on between generations

La famille Kanté Bravo espère le maintien du MHR en Top 14. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

Dans la famille Bravo-Kanté, on porte le Montpellier Hérault Rugby à bout de bras. Deux d’entre eux monteront à Grenoble, ce dimanche 16 juin, pour assister au match décisif.

Little Sidi knows the club and its players by heart. Posters, notebooks, balloons… his room is filled with objects from the MHR. Since he was two and a half years old, this young supporter of Montpellier Hérault Rugby has been going to the stadium to see his idols. He will do the same this Sunday, June 16, by traveling with his mother, Chloé, to Grenoble for the match during which the club will play to remain in the Top 14. The young 12-year-old fan attends all home games, at GGL Stadium, and tries to travel as much as possible to support his favorite team.

Sidi has received many gifts over time from players, including shoes from Zach  Mercer, Mohamed Haouas and Gabriel Ngandebe, his favorite rugby player. The 27-year-old winger is favored by the young boy, with whom he has a special bond. "They saw each other several times, he’s Sidi’s idol", says his mother, showing a photo of ;rsquo;a hug between the two.

Young Sidi with his idol Gabriel Ngandebe. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

A passion passed down from his grandmother

In the family, the passion for rugby came from the grandmother, Cathy, vice-president of the Historical Supporters' Club (CHDS). The association is the oldest around the MHR. "In 2003, there was no supporters club, one was needed", says the latter. For Cathy, rugby is a great part of her life! She fell in love with this sport in the sixth grade when her teacher introduced her to ovalism. "I don&rsquo “I didn't play for long but I really got into the sport”, remembers the MHR supporter, who has supported the club for around fifteen years.

Her greatest satisfaction ? Her proximity to the players, some of whom do not hesitate to nickname her "Grandma has blue duvets" from the Twickenham stand. The Georgian pillar Misha Nariashvili, who left just after the title of French champion in 2022, will even go so far as to give him a very nice gift. "He took my phone number to give me his champion medal!"

The "Queen Mother" give a soap to the players

Cathy is also a "strong character", according to her daughter. She remembers one evening when the MHR was defeated, and players who got directly on the bus without greeting the supporters present on site. In the next match, the "Queen Mother" – another nickname given to the historic supporter – gets directly into the bus to give a soap to the players. "It’s all Cathy", summarizes her daughter Chloé.

Sidi with his mother Chloé, both MHR fans. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

Cathy, Chloé and Sidi are linked by blood and the love of rugby. "We passed down this passion from the grandmother to the grandson, including the daughter."&nbsp ;The retiree will not make the trip to Isère, because her health does not allow it, but hopes that the MHR will maintain itself to return to support them at the stadium next season, in the Top 14. "It's thanks to the MHR that I'm still alive…"

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