Prize fund and documentary for posterity about rugby player Cedric Rosalen, appreciated by everyone

The emotions caused by the brutal disappearance of Cedric Rosalen on January 9, 2024 at the age of 43 from a pulmonary embolism are still here, palpable thanks to the fundraising launched to create a film, a documentary that will forever tell what a beautiful man he was. This fundraiser, organized by his friends from Narbonne, mobilized 773 donors and achieved a final income of 26,421.45 euros, exceeding the target set at 25,000 euros.

“This prize fund for the film (It will initially be distributed to cinemas in the region.), this is by far the best idea. This will allow us to perpetuate his spirit, a kind of immortality of this superb rugby player, especially gifted and recognized for his kicking and obviously a benevolent unifier in life,” says Gilbert Isern, former president of Narbonne Rugby Club, who saw him played under him for three seasons before leaving for USAP Perpignan.

Collective emotions during the official tribute

He himself emphasizes the collective emotions he felt at the stadium on February 24 during the official memorial ceremony and especially during his funeral in his village of Ouweyan (Aude). Legend has it that on that day, January 11, in pouring rain, they walked almost three miles along a continuous line between the village center and the cemetery, and the water from the sky mixed with tears on their faces.

“We had to reopen the prize fund last week because people didn’t have time to enter. The children themselves took a few euros from their piggy bank to entrust them to their parents and appear in the solidarity credits of this film, which will tell the story of the man behind the player and will be filmed from June,” points out Etienne Garcia, 32 years old director in charge of work, and who remembers exactly the great player from Narbonne that he was, with his famous and endless kicking practices after the collective stage, his smile, his kindness.

“The ability to create emotional connections”

This player scored points in the match (record holder for most points scored in a game – 32 years old.), but also perfume. “Cedric is one of the men who has such generosity and the ability to create emotional connections that everyone loves. On earth he was a conquistador. In his suit of light, he made the orange and black colors of Narbonne shine. He combined sensitivity, generosity and skill that made him completely unique,” ​​says Gérard Bertrand, president of the amateur club Corbières XV, coached by Cedric and which won everything in the regional division last spring.

Because after, of course, wearing the jerseys of Narbonne, then Perpignan, Montauban and Carcassonne, he became the outstanding national coach of first Aviron de Gruissant, Didier Codorniou, then Corbières XV. At the same time, he was also the Valence-Romance kicking coach.

“We fought to ensure that this prize fund remains an individual and personal experience and that communities do not participate in the financing of this film,” explains Bertrand Malquier, mayor of Narbonne, while the player’s influence went far beyond. city.