Amateur rugby trophies 34: Lilas Roda, Rita Heafala, Emy Baudru… elect the best player
|Elisez la meilleure joueuse.
Midi Libre, the Hérault Departmental Rugby Committee and the Evelyne agency present the 3rd edition of the Hérault Amateur Rugby Trophies. Vote on Midilibre.fr until September 17, to elect your favorites in the 15 categories.
Today, it's time for the category: Best female player. Discover all the results on October 4!
This trophy is sponsored by the Fédération Française du Batiment Hérault.
Lilas Roda (Centre/Avenir Bleu et Blanc)
Captain of the Avenir Bleu et Blanc, Lilas Roda, who started at AS Béziers 15 years ago, before joining the Capestang-Puisserguier club in 2020, was a driving force last season. The 34-year-old center has only one regret: “It was not having been enough of us throughout the season.”
A lack of depth in the squad that certainly cost the ABB girls their qualification in their Regional X championship. “The level was high, and we were not often 20 on our match sheet”, says Lilas who was considered an old hand in a team whose average age was around 25.
Almost more important than the sporting aspect, the atmosphere in the group was, itself, at its best. “There was laughter throughout the season, all the girls got along well”, she notes. Will qualification be there this season?? Lilas Roda will do everything to.
Rita Heafala.
Rita Heafala (2nd row/Jacou)
Discreet in life, Rita Heafala changes her behavior on the rugby field. Originally from New Caledonia, the second row started rugby two years ago, after trying “touch rugby and I really liked it, then I wanted to try it with the girls”, she confides. Physically dominant, at the forefront of the fight, Rita was unfortunately unable to allow her club RC Jacou to qualify for the final stages of Fédérale 2.
“I was disappointed compared to the previous season, where we managed to qualify, says the one who wore number 4 14 times in 2023-2024. Fortunately, we managed to finish on a high note by winning the Coupe d’Occitanie." Against Capvern, the Jacoumardes won 18-12 to bring a trophy back to Parc Bocaud.
"Personally, I played almost all the matches, I think I've made further progress, it's looking very good for this season, in a very good atmosphere", warns the 25-year-old player.
Emy Baudru.
Emy Baudru (Half opening/Béziers)
Barely 18 years old, Emy Baudru has already tasted the blue jersey of the French team. In XV with the U18s, but also in Sevens at the tournament in Elche, (in Spain). A nice journey, which is only just beginning. “I started at the Arlequins rugby school at 4 and a half years old, says the fly-half. It was my grandpa who encouraged me and followed me until I was 14, then I left for Béziers."
Champion of France with the cadets of ASBH, Emy will move up a level this season since she joins the MHR Féminin to come and play in Elite 1. A pressure ? "Inevitably a bit of pressure, the fact of moving up to the big ones, at the highest level", answers the one who also played at the back and should be fixed on this position this season, in the capital of Hérault. “No matter where I play, I adapt, and I'm young, I still have time”, announces Emy Baudru.