Stade Français Paris and the Tel Aviv Heat are happy and proud to announce a new partnership.
This collaboration will focus on the exchange of players and other working methods on the sporting side, and will also allow for the organization of friendly matches.
On the educational level, this partnership will provide a special connection between Tel Aviv University and Stade Académie, Stade Français Paris’ training tool established two years ago.
Also, the development and research of new technologies – essential assets of the Israeli club – will pave the way for exchanges around innovations applicable to rugby.
Thomas Lombard, Directeur Général du Stade Français Paris:
“ We are proud of this merger with the Tel Aviv Heat club which is part of our international development strategy with targeted, leading, and innovative clubs. During our visit to Israel, we were able to appreciate the culture, the Tel Aviv University campus, the infrastructure, and discuss technological innovations applicable to rugby. We look forward to starting discussions with the Heat to perfect the training of our young players, both educationally and athletically.”
Pete Sickle, CEO, Tel Aviv Heat:
“As the first professional rugby team from Startup Nation, we have constantly sought out players and partners like Stade Français Paris Rugby who remain dedicated both to the core values of rugby – solidarity, passion, integrity, discipline, and respect – and have strived to leverage the power of rugby to build bridges and transform lives. We are proud that Stade Français Paris Rugby has chosen to collaborate with the Heat to create opportunities and rich experiences on and off the field. We are looking forward to many years of driving mutual value to the two clubs.”
Adi Raz, Chairman, Tel Aviv Heat:
“In our first discussions, Thomas Lombard shared his perspective that ‘Better people make better players’, a spirit embraced by everyone from Stade Francais whom we have met. We are extremely proud that Stade Français Paris, founded 140 years ago and one of the greatest rugby clubs of the last 20 years, has chosen to partner with the Tel Aviv Heat, a sporting start-up striving to disrupt the Rugby world. We look forward to the opportunity to work together to develop a fruitful and meaningful partnership.”
ABOUT THE TEL AVIV HEAT
The Tel Aviv Heat, Israel’s first professional rugby team, was formed in 2021 upon winning an invitation to join the newly founded Rugby Europe Super Cup, where it has reached the semifinal and final in its first two seasons. In addition to the Super Cup, last year the Heat toured South Africa, competed in the RugbyTown 7s tournament in Colorado, and defeated the Saracens in a friendly fixture in London.
ABOUT STADE FRANÇAIS PARIS
The club was born in May 1995 from the merger of the rugby sections of two Parisian sports clubs, Stade Français and the CASG, the two teams then competing in the Group B French Championship. Stade Français was founded in 1883 by students from the Latin Quarter, at the "Le Procope" café. On March 20, 1892, the players of Stade Français competed against those of Racing in the first final of the French Championship, on the grounds of Bagatelle. Refereed by Pierre de Coubertin, Stade Français narrowly lost this first final (4-3) before winning the club's first three titles (1893, 1894, 1895). With many internationals in its ranks, Stade Français would go on to win a total of eight national titles between 1893 and 1908, playing a major role in the introduction and spread of the sport. The CASG, founded in 1903 and winner of the Challenge de l'Essor in 1993, has consistently had many internationals in its ranks. In May 1995, Bernard Laporte (Champion of France with Bègles-Bordeaux in 1991), took the reins of the professional group and built a group of experienced and passionate players. The success following his taking office are evident in the 1995-96 season. Today, Stade Français Paris has fourteen French Champion titles and one European Champion title to its name, which makes it the most successful French club after Stade Toulousain.
The whole history of the club in pictures on www.stade.fr, Facebook and Twitter @SFParisRugby.