Vannes launches Karantez Vro endowment fund

Rugby Club Vannes has launched Karantez Vro, an endowment fund built on four pillars and championed by two ambassadors, Gwenaël Duplenne and Caroline Drouin.

“At RCV, we believe a club’s greatness is not measured only by its honours, but also by its ability to pass things on, to educate and to bring people together. That is the ambition our endowment fund carries today.” Those are the words of Yannick Cordier, president of the newly created fund and a member of the supervisory board of Rugby Club Vannes.

Aptly named Karantez Vro (“love of the homeland” in Breton), the fund rests on four pillars and is championed by two ambassadors: “the club’s own son” Gwenaël Duplenne and Caroline Drouin, born in Auray, whose record with France in sevens and fifteens is as long as one of Anthony Bouthier‘s touch-finders.

Deeply rooted in Brittany and attached to what keeps it alive, the club is taking a new step in its commitment. The initiative aims to bring together the region’s driving forces and to provide lasting support for projects with a strong sporting and social impact.

From the pitch to Breton culture: four pillars

1. Committing to playing and developing rugby in Brittany

Part of the club’s DNA from the start, Rugby Club Vannes’ commitment to growing Breton rugby is strengthened by the creation of its endowment fund. Supporting the game, backing player development and helping rugby grow across Brittany are a strong commitment.

2. Strengthening social cohesion

Rugby builds bonds, passes on values and gives everyone a place in a group. Through its endowment fund, RCV wants to bring that collective strength to life, help each person thrive and allow as many people as possible to take part in shared projects.

3. Promoting health through sport

Making rugby and sport drivers of health, well-being and balance. Encouraging everyone to look after themselves through physical activity, and promoting a lasting practice that is accessible at every age.

4. Celebrating Breton identity and culture

Putting down roots to shine further: keeping Breton identity and culture alive, nurturing the attachment to Brittany and turning those roots into a source of transmission, openness and influence.

“Giving back to rugby what rugby gave me”

Gwenaël Duplenne, who has played more than 200 games for RCV, wants to give back to the club what it gave him: “Giving back to rugby what rugby gave me, it’s as simple as that. This fund has a Breton impact, and my Breton roots made it easy for me to accept. But it’s true I was given a lot when I was young, here, where rugby was not very developed. Today rugby is booming here: giving back a little of what I received is only natural for me.”

Caroline Drouin sees her ambassador role as an extension beyond the pitch: “First of all, it’s a great adventure, perhaps one more essential step in building Rugby Club Vannes, and it’s a real source of pride to be able to contribute to that. I think there is also a lot of meaning in being an ambassador. We often talk about the pitch, but today it’s more about all the values around this sport, and I think there are really great things to experience and pass on through this fund.”

Next up, and the first milestone, on 19 November: a gala dinner where 240 sponsors are expected, along with RCV players and staff, at an evening hosted by Sacha Valleau. More to follow.