Prince Joachim, patron of Danish Rugby

07/07/2012 - 09/07/2012

Chairman of the Danish Union and host, Ole Nielsen took on the duty of opening the Administrative Council and the General Assembly. He had the added task and pleasure of welcoming his Royal Highness, Prince Joachim of Denmark, to whom he gave an account of the state of European Rugby.

Then it was Jean-Claude Baqué’s turn to address the Prince: “We are delighted, honoured and proud to welcome you. You are a true rugby man, recognised by the 44 nations present here today and we thank you for all you have done for Danish rugby and for rugby in general. Let us not forget that it is in Denmark that rugby became an Olympic sport”. The FIRA-AER Chairman then presented his Royal Highness with the European Gold Medal and Ole Nielsen with the Honorary Medal in recognition of his tremendous work in organising the General Assembly and the Sevens Tournament.

In impeccable and gracious French, Prince Joachim responded as follows: “I am delighted to welcome you to Odense in my capacity as patron of Danish Rugby. Odense is flattered to be at the centre of European rugby this week-end. Rugby is a sport of traditions and exemplary values. It creates networks of friends. You are making it a global sport. It is a spectacular discipline which I look forward to enjoying when I attend your tournament”.