Buoyed by a longstanding sporting relationship between France and Cuba, a new chapter is beginning with the creation of a rugby academy in Havana, a unique project supported by the French Embassy, the French Rugby Federation, and the Guadeloupe Rugby League, the CREPS Antilles, and the French eco-responsible brand NOLT.
In the midst of Olympic fever, the French Embassy in Cuba has decided to harness this potential by creating a mixed rugby academy, open to young people aged 6 to 16.
The goal: to train the new generation of Cuban rugby players, both male and female, around shared values—gender equality, social inclusion, and openness to disability.
This ambitious project immediately attracted several French institutional and private partners: Stade Français, the French Rugby Federation, the Guadeloupe Rugby League, Air France, the University of Lille, CREPS Antilles... and NOLT, a French brand committed to ethical and circular production.
La rencontre entre NOLT et le projet cubain s’est faite un peu par hasard — et beaucoup par conviction. Après avoir exploré différentes pistes locales, les porteurs du projet cherchaient un équipementier français partageant les mêmes valeurs humaines et sociales. C’est en découvrant NOLT sur LinkedIn (et via un article sur son concept de Maillot Infini) que le lien s’est créé.
The equipment embody embodies an eco-responsible and circular approach, focused on community and a passion for sport. This vision is fully in line with that of the academy.
Result: NOLT becomes the official equipment supplier for the Cuban men's and women's rugby sevens teams and will also provide uniforms for 110 young academy players.
Through this partnership, France is strengthening its commitment to the development of sport in Cuba, particularly among young people. The Havana Rugby Academy aims to be a laboratory for exchange, training, and inclusion, in the purest tradition of rugby: solidarity, respect, and transmission.
Alexis Figueras, Vice President of the Cuban Rugby Federation & Coach:
"The academy's goal is to train at least 100 young people aged 6 to 16, including 40 girls, to form the backbone of the future national rugby sevens team, but also to support the training of coaches, referees, and officials for the Cuban Rugby Federation."
Paul Guinard, Co-Founder & CEO of NOLT:
"We are proud to support projects that are making a real difference in transforming sport, whether in terms of the environment, inclusion, or developing participation among young people."
