April 23, 2023

2023 EUROPEAN FAIR PLAY MOVEMENT “DIPLOMA OF RECOGNITION” goes to EMILIE MUSCH (BEL)

Her attitudes on and off the field are always marked by enormous respect. She always has a calm
and serene attitude. Her Fair Play gestures are an integral part of her attitude, of herself, isn’t that
what we would like from any sportsman? This is an example for all sportsmen and women, for all
human beings. In her early years, she received an award from the city of Nivelles for Fair Play. She
was also captain of the team, and now she is also captain of La Hulpe, a team that finished the
season as Belgian champions in the 1st National Division. In addition to her club trainings, and her
numerous preparation sessions with the national team, she takes time to give a hand to some of her
club’s handirugby trainings, to give rugby initiations in a Fedasil center in Charleroi, to referee our
youngest players during national gatherings, and doesn’t hesitate to give time to share her
experience with young players’ teams. And besides this purely sporting chapter, she is always
involved in the organization of all the events that allow the club to live: evenings, meals, balls ….. I
conclude that sport and the well-being of others are her daily concern.
Emilie explains her vision of rugby: “I have been playing rugby for 16 years now. Since the first day
I stepped on the field, I have felt in my element, both because of the values that this sport conveys
(respect, rigor, fighting, surpassing oneself) and because of the people I have been able to meet and
work with. It is an environment where no difference is made and where everyone can express
themselves. There is room for everyone (small, tall, thin, strong,…). I like to say that more than
rugby itself, sport in general is a vector of self-acceptance and of others, allowing to discover others
without filter and without prejudice – Fair Play and respect are for me the two essential values to
the practice of any sport. What interest and pleasure can we find if we do not respect the rules, the
opponents or the referees? I am in favor of fighting and surpassing oneself, but always within the
rules and with respect for each other. These are values that have always been anchored in me, and
the education that my parents gave me has more than likely played a role in thi