The “Tontons d’Ovalie”, a passion for rugby and cohesion between generations

If you don’t know the “Tontons d’Ovalie”, SKEMA’s rugby club, now is the time to find out more about them through this interview with Adrien Leonard (SKEMA 2013), a member of the club for one year now.

Could you tell us a bit about the “Tontons d’Ovalie”?

Tontons d’Ovalie is an association that was originally started on the SKEMA Sophia Antipolis campus. Its members are mainly SKEMA alumni and also some former members of the famous student association “Esprit Passion Ovale” (EPO - the Sophia campus rugby team). Historically, this association has enabled the alumni to get together, keep in contact, have some fun together and network, but it also provides a generational bridge between students and alumni, for example through an annual professional and sporting event held over a weekend in the south of France. In the last year we have decided to make some changes to the association and take things up a notch... by signing up to a corporate sports championship run by the FFSE (the French federation of corporate sports) in Paris. This means we will be able to play matches all through the year. This way we get to see each other more often instead of just once a year. It is also an opportunity to integrate some of the students who are interning or spending their gap year in Paris into the team, to prepare the passing of the baton and have the different generations spend time together. It’s really great!

How did you come to play rugby?

I started playing rugby in year 11 in high school, at the Garches Vaucresson rugby club, a club I actually re-joined after my studies when I returned to Paris and where I still play. Why there? I had quite a few friends who played there and the rugby world cup was being hosted in France one or two years later (2017), so the game was starting to get a lot more attention. I loved it right away, from the very first training session. The physical side that gives you a good cardio workout, the sporting rivalry and the spirit of solidarity out on the field, and also the camaraderie on and off the field.

What made you join the “Tontons d’Ovalie”?

Since I was part of the EPO association, it seemed only natural.

How would you say the starting season went for the club?

An extraordinary first year! On the sports front, 9 matches and 8 wins. It’s a shame that COVID hit, because it prevented us from participating in the final rounds. We have finished first in the rankings, though, and are moving up a division. Mission accomplished! On the social side, events, get togethers, new friends... fun times! This start of the year, however, is a bit more complicated due to the pandemic context, as you’re aware. But we are making sure to come and train as much as possible (every Wednesday) and to catch up in a bar or restaurant from time to time, while following the public health rules of course. We have a group chat going on WhatsApp and that allows us to stay in touch easily, to help one another, but also to have a laugh with friends.

What are your goals for the season?

Sports-wise, it’s no secret! To win the second division title and/or move up to first division (to explain the “and/or”: we could finish second, and therefore not be champions, but still get to move up a division). On the social front, do more than “just” getting together in bars and restaurants to have a good time and catch up. We want to organise events like trips, for example, or themed outings.

How many “Skemans” are there in the club?

If I’m not mistaken, today 99% of members are Skemans and we’ve even had a few alumni and former students join us, on the Lille and Paris campuses too, so that’s great! Remember, that was the whole aim of the association at the start: to mainly welcome SKEMA students and alumni to keep a network going! But of course we are not against welcoming “outsiders”, of course! It’s always interesting to open up to other networks.

Your fondest memory with the “Tontons” so far?

It’s probably cliché, but the “third half” at our partner bar: “Avis de Tempête” (translates to ‘storm warning’ in English) in the 9th arrondissement in Paris.

Do you have a message for the alumni network?

Of course! First of all, to join us you have to love rugby but you don’t necessarily have to know how to play. We welcome all levels and there really is room for everyone. We are competitors, but don’t forget that we primarily play for fun. There is nothing more enjoyable than introducing novices to the sport! And if you want to have a good time, catch up with classmates or school friends and chat about work or job hunting while throwing a ball around with a great group of guys, then the Tontons are for you.

One word to sum up the “Tontons d’Ovalie”?

Mates :)

Video by Clement Delahousse, PGE student 

A few words about Adrien, who agreed to our interview

Adrien Leonard (SKEMA 2013) is the co-founder of Maison Montalet with Louis Carpent (SKEMA 2013). For going on four years, this company has specialised in selling fresh pork meat and charcuterie to chefs and restaurants.

His studies at SKEMA 

First year: spent a full year on the Sophia Antipolis campus. President of a losing student union group (the best, of course ;)) and an active member of EPO - I played a big part in organising the French Riviera Rugby Sevens, an international rugby sevens tournament involving several schools and universities from around the world. I have incredible memories of it! It’s a real shame that the event was only held once... Second year: first semester at Sophia Antipolis, then an exchange on the Suzhou campus. Gap year in Paris, where I worked for 15 months in a startup as a business developer. Third year: MSc Entrepreneurship & Innovation with the first semester in Sophia and the second on exchange in Mexico City.

Contact: Adrien Leonard, Co-founder & CEO of Maison Montalet