"Nico's spirit is behind all this" The parents of the 15-year-old Saint-Maximin player who died after a collision have created an association

"If Nico had been banned from playing that day because he didn't have the right boots, I probably would have taken it badly at the time, having travelled from Var to Corsica for the match... But today, with hindsight, imagine how valuable that instruction would have been, for him, and for us?"

The death of their son, a player for the Provence Verte club and also a member of RC Toulon, last March after a collision during a match in Corsica against Bastia XV shook the entire rugby world, and far beyond. Struck by the worst possible tragedy, Nicolas Haddad's parents look down on the fate with a dignity that commands respect: " We don't blame anyone: neither rugby, nor the young player who accidentally collided with Nico, and who will remain scarred by it, nor the rules, the referees, etc. There is no one to blame. "

Today, in tribute to their eldest son, Hadi and Layal are starting a new match. " For him, in his name, we wanted to create the Merci Nico association ." A name that came naturally, like a cry from the heart. "All this mobilization, this kindness that surrounds us since he is no longer here... We know that it is him, his spirit, that is behind all this ."

" We don't blame rugby. It was Nico's great passion, and it remains the great passion of his brothers, Raphaël and Chris. They all started in "baby" and they chose to continue playing it, even today..." The " exceptional and spontaneous " mobilization of the rugby world to support the bereaved family also touched her deeply.

"That day, Nico had already lost his footing twice."

Nico's parents now want to serve the cause of rugby by raising awareness and providing training on prevention. "At a human level, we see things that can be improved. And if our actions ultimately help prevent even one fracture, it will have been worth it, and Nico would be proud and happy ."

At the heart of their concerns, as a first fight, there is support. " Nico, who played with the RCT elite, had good equipment. But were the molded studs suitable that day for a synthetic pitch, in wet conditions? " Nico's father was in the stands during the disastrous match in Corsica. " Nico lost his footing while preparing a tackle, which is what caused the inevitable impact... Twice already in the match, he had slipped. If there were a protocol, like for concussions, to remove a player whose footing is not assured, it would prevent accidents ."

The "Merci Nico" association therefore has the primary objective of raising awareness and training educators, referees, parents, etc. on this subject. " We intend to speak out to as many clubs as possible. We are Nico's parents: our word will count! " They also have in mind " the creation of advice sheets, on which studs to use on which pitch, etc. We observe that nine times out of ten, the studs are not suitable. Many parents, with little or no information, choose football boots, or the cheapest ones... There is awareness work to be done on this subject! "

Nico's parents were also able to measure the gap between the RCT's management and that of smaller clubs. " With the RCT, the doctor was very firm: at the slightest impact that was a bit too strong, especially to the head, you were taken out. It's different in small clubs, where often the parents themselves tell their children, 'Get up, keep playing, it's not serious.' But we shouldn't minimize these impacts."

“Happy, festive, like Nico was”

The association also pursues a unifying, festive goal, " in the spirit of Nico's character, and of rugby too. We want to keep his name alive! "

This Wednesday, May 28, a first, seminal meeting is planned. " We're preparing a beautiful evening, a big meal, for his birthday. We could have done it quietly, among ourselves, crying, but no: it has to be musical, festive, joyful like Nico, with all his friends, who wanted to be there, in the front rows, like at his funeral. " More than 200 people have already booked.

Other projects - a summer training camp, tournaments, and so many other things - are already in the pipeline, " with the RCT or with the Saint-Maximin club, which are not letting us go, like the one in Bastia, by the way "...

Actions that are all manifestations of love: " This association is also our birthday present to him. And so that he always remains very much alive, with us. "

Outbursts of kindness

"We often hear that people are mean, selfish, etc. But in this tragedy that affects us, we are amazed every day by the kindness and support that the four of us continually receive, " said Hadi and Layal. They took advantage of their first exchange with a journalist to send a message: " We couldn't thank everyone, but know that our gratitude is immense... Firstly, in the rugby family, and since then, throughout the world: the Corsicans, the people of Saint-Maximin, the institutions, the citizens, Nico's friends. We have received so much kindness! "

The exceptional and moving guard of honor of 3,000 people in Saint-Maximin, during the funeral, from the stadium to the basilica, is another illustration. " Some came from very far away, from Lille, Lebanon, Paris, just to take part in this guard ."

And the Pilou Pilou, "Because Nico" , launched by his friends, still resonates on the square in front of the Basilica. Friends from the school " who themselves wanted to get involved in the association as volunteers ", the parents still observe, very moved.