On 1 December 2020, Caroline Califano was appointed director of the Marseille venues for the Rugby World Cup France 2023 for three years. Her stay in Japan in 2019 was the determining factor in this choice. Even more so than her solid experience in event management, business development and performance activation, decision support and mental preparation of high-level athletes (she chaired Reach U Up in 2019-2020). Top-level rugby held few secrets for her (she is the wife of Christian Califano, the legendary French hooker with 72 caps). But the Japanese experience allowed her to immerse herself in exceptional moments. In the Club XV de France, run by the FFR, she welcomed guests and partners and accompanied players’ families and staff... She could not pass up the opportunity offered by the organising committee, which was looking for ten site managers. Her new responsibilities are part of a logical progression for this sports enthusiast, whose mission is to roll out the World Cup as close as possible to the regions by integrating local specificities. She is supported by a team of ten locally recruited apprentices, who are responsible for facilitating dialogue with all local players and building the engagement and commitment of everyone.
Par Maurice Gouiran