Over his 17 years as a professional international rugby player, he was named 80 times to the French national team, including 56 times as captain. Today Thierry Dusautoir is an entrepreneur.
For me, joining Societe Generale The Future is You Foundation as a board member is the logical continuation of a relationship that has lasted for more than ten years. Up to now focused it was focused on rugby, owing to my past as a high-level athlete, but now the partnership has a societal focus as well. It is a great opportunity for me to go further in the commitment that we share, Societe Generale and myself.
I have always been interested in education issues, in order to give as many young people as possible the opportunity to reach their potential. I saw that the foundation shared that value. Education through sport is a major focus for the foundation, and I will strive to share my experience in this area to help it make the best possible choices, by adding my perspective which is complementary to that of the other board members.
At the heart of our shared commitment lies the belief that rugby is a formidable tool for social inclusion. It’s a sport where people with different physiques and states of mind manage to work together: that alone is a great achievement in terms of cohesion. Plus, it is a combat sport with a lot of constraints. Even if we take hits, we cannot respond however we like, there are rules to follow. Every time you get tackled, you have to get up. We strengthen our resolve to face all the pitfalls that we may encounter in life. Beyond the passion for the game that drives all those who play it, rugby is rich in human interactions that make it a school of life for young people.
I will support the foundation’s engagement in France as well as in Africa ‒ a continent for which I have a soft spot, because I am half-Ivoirian. The foundation is already supporting associations such as Terres en Mêlées, which uses rugby in particular to promote roles for women in society. In several African countries, rugby is also a lever to help young people to study and to access healthcare. Although it should remain just a game, it is a great way to act on the social front!
Crédit photos : Terres en mêlées
At the heart of our shared commitment lies the belief that rugby is a formidable tool for social inclusion. It’s a sport where people with different physiques and states of mind manage to work together: that alone is a great achievement in terms of cohesion.
Thierry Dusautoir