René Fontès facts for kids
René Fontès (born June 11, 1941 – died March 17, 2019) was an important French leader in both sports and local government. He was the president of a famous rugby team, ASM Clermont Auvergne, from 2004 to 2013. He also served as the mayor of Eygalières, a small town in France, from 2008 until he passed away in 2019.
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Life and Career
René Fontès was born in Saint-Martin-de-Crau, a town in France. In 1964, he started working at Michelin, a very well-known company that makes tires. He began as an electrical engineer.
Working at Michelin
Mr. Fontès worked at Michelin for 40 years! From 1986, he was in charge of all of Michelin's operations in Europe. He left the company in 2004. His long career at Michelin showed he was a dedicated and skilled leader.
Leading a Rugby Team
In July 2004, René Fontès became the president of the Clermont Auvergne rugby club. This is a very important role in French rugby. During his time as president, the team achieved great success.
Clermont's Victories
Under his leadership, Clermont Auvergne won the 2006–07 European Challenge Cup. This was a big win for the team in a European competition. They also won their first-ever national league title in the 2009–10 season. This was a historic moment for the club!
Stadium Improvements
Mr. Fontès also helped make the team's home, Stade Marcel-Michelin, even better. He oversaw the expansion of the stadium, making it bigger and more modern for fans. He left his role at Clermont in June 2013.
Serving as Mayor
Besides his work in rugby, René Fontès was also involved in politics. In March 2008, he was elected mayor of Eygalières. This is a special kind of local leader in France. He was re-elected in March 2014, showing that people trusted him to lead their town. He remained mayor until he passed away.
Involvement in Rugby Governance
From 2011 until his death, Mr. Fontès was a board member of the National Rugby League (LNR). This organization helps manage professional rugby in France. He also represented the LNR on important committees for European and French rugby.
Awards and Passing
In 2011, René Fontès was honored with the Chevalier (Knight) rank of the Légion d'honneur. This is one of the highest awards a person can receive in France. It shows his important contributions to the country.
René Fontès sadly passed away on March 17, 2019, in Eygalières. He was 77 years old. He died from a sudden heart attack. He is remembered for his leadership in both sports and his local community.
