Colomiers Rugby Association: Technology as a Gamechanger

Colomiers Rugby Association is a historic rugby club founded in 1915, based in Colomiers, a town near Toulouse in southwestern France. The club has been recognized as a strong contender in French rugby, earning national and international recognition over the years.  

As part of a broader initiative by the French Rugby Federation, Veo cameras were distributed to the top 42 U18 teams in France to help identify and develop young talent for the U18 national team. Colomiers Rugby Association quickly saw the potential of Veo and decided to take the technology to the next level.

“Video is becoming increasingly essential in monitoring players and supporting the club’s game strategy. Until now, the various teams were autonomous when it came to video, and the club and the association lacked a unified approach or shared video resources. Finally, in an economically challenging context, the association was reflecting on new sources of revenue, either through donations or license fee increases, but always with the goal of providing added value to players and their families,” says Frédéric Julien, a volunteer who serves as Veo coordinator at Colomiers Rugby Association.

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The Value of Live Streaming

The club purchased four additional Veo cameras with live streaming capabilities and developed a unique business model by offering parents and fans a €20 annual subscription. This subscription allows families to watch all matches from the men’s U21, U18, and U16 teams, as well as the women’s U18 and U16 teams.  

“We had the opportunity to test a Veo camera, provided by the French Rugby Federation, with the help of Florian, our Veo contact. We tested live streaming during the final match of the French Play Down Championship for our Alamercery cadets in Châteauroux. The broadcast was a success, with nearly 1,000 viewers watching live. This convinced us of the value of offering live-streamed matches to players and their families,” Julien shares. 

This innovative approach demonstrates how Colomiers Rugby Association has successfully used modern technology as a tool for both financial growth and community engagement, serving as a role model for other clubs seeking modernization.

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Technology That Creates Value

Colomiers Rugby is divided into two entities: the professional men’s team is managed by the professional division, while all youth and women’s teams are overseen by the club’s association. The association is a separate entity within Colomiers Rugby and does receive some contributions from the professional entity, but operates independently. This structure is common in French rugby, where youth and amateur teams often work with limited resources.

Since the introduction of Veo cameras, feedback from players, coaches, and families has been overwhelmingly positive.  

“In an era where social media is essential, players visit the channel to watch games or highlights. Families can watch matches live or in replay without traveling. The enthusiasm from families is significant—when we cannot stream a match, the disappointment is very noticeable. As for the coaches, they can rely on a Veo coordinator for each category, which relieves them of the technical aspects of video setup. They also have immediate access to the match recordings on the YouTube channel or the Veo platform right after the games.”  

Julien adds that families particularly appreciate Veo’s live-streaming feature. For away matches that are difficult to attend, they simply visit the club’s YouTube channel and follow the games.  

“Last year’s final for our Alamercery cadets in Châteauroux was a highlight. It was a final match, and many of the players’ families could not travel. The joy of the families in Colomiers who could watch the game live and participate in this victorious final was incredible. It was an emotionally charged moment, and making it accessible to the largest possible audience was fantastic.”

“Every Trend Needs an Avant-Gardiste”

Colomiers Rugby Association has demonstrated how technology can be a game-changer for sports clubs that aim to strengthen their community and economy. By combining live streaming and video analysis with a well-thought-out business model, the club creates value for players, families, and sponsors.  

“For the association, the current economic model of streaming matches remains accessible and sustainable. Over time, it can also generate revenue by offering paid services to families or integrating advertisers into the broadcasts. At the moment, parents from opposing teams are not charged to watch the games; it is still free. Today, everyone has free access to nearly all the matches—either live or recorded—showcasing a modern and innovative image. We’ve even started receiving positive feedback from parents in other clubs who praise our live streams, and word-of-mouth has led them to connect to our YouTube channel,” Julien says.  

Highlighting sponsors during live streams is still a project in development, but the potential is significant.

At Veo’s office in Copenhagen, rugby expert Florian Lounnas has been the key contact for Colomiers Rugby. He views the club’s approach as an inspiration for others.  

“I think many clubs using or eager to use Veo have been thinking about such a model. What they just need to get things rolling is an example of a club that has actually done it and benefited from it. Every trend needs an avant-gardiste.”  

He highlights how clubs like Colomiers can maximize Veo’s potential while simultaneously creating new revenue opportunities.  

“There is as much use of Veo as there are customers, with different uses of the potential of the ‘machine’. The main blocker in France is the price, but Colomiers has shown how increasing license fees slightly, with the added value of videos, can justify this cost. They are even considering taking it a step further by integrating sponsors into live streams, which is currently in the project phase.”  

Through his conversations with clubs, Lounnas has often found that many are hesitant to use live streaming, fearing that opponents will study their style of play.  

“But let’s be honest. At an amateur level, everybody plays at the same time, and nobody from another club will take 1.5 hours of his time to study another team while his own team is playing. Clubs need to think in terms of visibility. Social media are a big part of a club’s attractiveness—to retain or recruit new players and to gather more sponsors,” he concludes.  

In conclusion, Colomiers Rugby stands as proof that even clubs with limited resources can leverage modern technology to create visibility and growth. Their innovative approach serves as a shining example of how creative thinking can strengthen an entire club—from the youngest players to the most experienced coaches.