Paul Barrière
Encyclopedia
Paul Barrière was born on 8 June 1920 in Espéraza
and died on 29 May 2008 in Biarritz, aged 88. He was president of the Fédération Française de Rugby à XIII
from 1947 to 1955.
Barrière played rugby union
for Espéraza in 1936 and Carcassone.
During World War II
, Barrière joined the French Resistance
and operated in Aude
. Whilst in the resistance, he met French leaders of rugby league which had been banned by the collaborationist Vichy government
.
After the war, Barrière, along with Marcel Laborde who served as president of the French Rugby League between 1944 and 1947, worked to re-establish rugby league, which had been severely disrupted. Barrière became vice-president of the French Rugby League on 16 September 1944 at the Hotel Regina in Toulouse
. He was elected president on 2 July 1947 at a meeting in Bayonne
. Barrière was the driving force behind the agreement to create the International Rugby League Board and to institute a World Cup
. When asked for this opinion on moves to name the World Cup trophy after him, Barrière refused the honour.
Under Barrière, the French national team
undertook its first tour of the southern hemisphere.
From 1990 until 2004 Barrière organised the Festival de la Cite in Carcassonne for musical theatre.
In 2008, Barrière was posthumously awarded the inaugural RLIF Spirit of Rugby League Award which was created to honour those deemed to have made a significant contribution to the sport during their lifetime.
Barrière was survived by his wife, Jeanine, and her daughter, Babette.
Espéraza
Espéraza is a commune in the Aude department in southern France.It lies on the River Aude just north of the foothills of the Pyrenees.-Population:-History:* The church was built during the 13th century....
and died on 29 May 2008 in Biarritz, aged 88. He was president of the Fédération Française de Rugby à XIII
Fédération Française de Rugby à XIII
The French Rugby League Federation is the governing body for the sport of rugby league football in France. The Federation was formed during 1934 and since then has organized and governed the French rugby league championship, the Lord Derby Cup and all of the clubs that are contained within those...
from 1947 to 1955.
Barrière played rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
for Espéraza in 1936 and Carcassone.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Barrière joined the French Resistance
French Resistance
The French Resistance is the name used to denote the collection of French resistance movements that fought against the Nazi German occupation of France and against the collaborationist Vichy régime during World War II...
and operated in Aude
Aude
Aude is a department in south-central France named after the river Aude. The local council also calls the department "Cathar Country".Aude is also a frequent feminine French given name in Francophone countries, deriving initially from Aude or Oda, a wife of Bertrand, Duke of Aquitaine, and mother...
. Whilst in the resistance, he met French leaders of rugby league which had been banned by the collaborationist Vichy government
Vichy France
Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic...
.
After the war, Barrière, along with Marcel Laborde who served as president of the French Rugby League between 1944 and 1947, worked to re-establish rugby league, which had been severely disrupted. Barrière became vice-president of the French Rugby League on 16 September 1944 at the Hotel Regina in Toulouse
Toulouse
Toulouse is a city in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern FranceIt lies on the banks of the River Garonne, 590 km away from Paris and half-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea...
. He was elected president on 2 July 1947 at a meeting in Bayonne
Bayonne
Bayonne is a city and commune in south-western France at the confluence of the Nive and Adour rivers, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, of which it is a sub-prefecture...
. Barrière was the driving force behind the agreement to create the International Rugby League Board and to institute a World Cup
Rugby League World Cup
The Rugby League World Cup is an international rugby league competition contested by members of the Rugby League International Federation . It has been held nearly once every 4 years on average since its inaugural tournament in France in 1954...
. When asked for this opinion on moves to name the World Cup trophy after him, Barrière refused the honour.
Under Barrière, the French national team
France national rugby league team
The France national rugby league team represent France in international rugby league tournaments. They are also sometimes referred to as "Les Tricolores" or more commonly "Les Chanticleers"...
undertook its first tour of the southern hemisphere.
From 1990 until 2004 Barrière organised the Festival de la Cite in Carcassonne for musical theatre.
In 2008, Barrière was posthumously awarded the inaugural RLIF Spirit of Rugby League Award which was created to honour those deemed to have made a significant contribution to the sport during their lifetime.
Barrière was survived by his wife, Jeanine, and her daughter, Babette.