Palau XIII Broncos also known as Palau XIII or Palau Broncos are a professional

rugby league Rugby league football, commonly known as just rugby league and sometimes football, footy, rugby or league, is a full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular field measuring 68 metres (75 yards) wide and 112 ...

team based in

Palau-del-Vidre Palau-del-Vidre (; ca, Palau del Vidre) is a commune in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France. Geography Palau-del-Vidre is located in the canton of La Côte Vermeille and in the arrondissement of Céret. Population ...

in the

Occitanie Occitanie may refer to: *Occitania, a region in southern France called ''Occitanie'' in French *Occitania (administrative region) Occitania ( ; french: Occitanie ; oc, Occitània ; ca, Occitània ) is the southernmost administrative region of ...

region in the south of

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

. They currently play in the

Elite One Championship Elite 1 is the top level rugby league competition in France, sanctioned by the French Rugby League Federation. The season runs from September to April, which is in contrast to the majority of other major domestic rugby league competitions wor ...

which is the top level in France. The club was founded in 1920. They play their matches at the Stade Georges Vaills.

History

In 1920 Racing Club Palauenc was formed as a rugby club. They were a feeder team for

USA Perpignan Union Sportive Arlequins Perpignanais, also referred to as USA Perpignan or Perpignan, is a French professional rugby union club founded in 1933 and based in Perpignan, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department. They compete in the Top 14, Franc ...

. Their first silverware arrived in 1928 when they were crowned champion of France's 3rd series. The club switched to Rugby League in 1952 where they competed in the amateur 3rd Division. For such a small club they have a rich history of success. In 1956 they won the 3rd Division title – their first as a Rugby League club. In 2008 the club completed a league and cup double winning the

Paul Dejean Cup The Paul Dejean Cup (french: Coupe Paul-Dejean), also called Paul Dejean French Cup (french: Coupe de France Paul-Dejean), is an annual rugby league knockout competition organised by the Fédération Française de Rugby à XIII for clubs in the Na ...

and the

National Division 1 The National Division 1 is the third tier of rugby league in France, below the Elite Two Championship and above the National Division 2. The season runs from September to April. From season 2012–13 the league was split into regions ''East'' a ...

league, after this success the club took the decision to move up to the semi professional ranks of the

Elite Two Championship Elite 2 (formerly the Elite Two Championship) is the second tier semi-professional rugby league competition in France below Elite 1, but above the National Division 1. The season runs from September to April. The clubs play each other home ...

. After five seasons at this level in which they won the competition three times the club decided to move up to the top tier in 2013, promotion being optional. Despite the small size of the club they are still in the

The club runs successful youth teams and reserve team through which the club have produced many players top class players including former internationals

Jacques Jorda Jacques Jorda, (born in Elne, on 1 April 1948) is a French former rugby league player and coach. Starting in rugby union for Stade Toulousain, he made his debut with the club in First Division in 1966 before joining Carcassonne in 1967 and then, ...

Julien Touxagas Julien Touxagas (born 12 February 1984 in Perpignan, France) is a French former professional rugby league footballer. He most recently played for the Catalans Dragons in the Super League competition. Career Touxagas position of choice was , alth ...

and David Berthezene

Colours and badge

Palau XIII Broncos play in red and yellow in various designs, the Broncos moniker was added following their successful promotion in 2008

Stadium

Stade Georges Vaills has been the only stadium ever used by the club. The ground is named after a former player of theirs who was born in the area. The ground is situated next to the River Tech and has one main stand. When visiting British clubs are in France to play the

Catalans Dragons The Catalans Dragons ( French: ''Dragons Catalans'', Catalan: ''Dracs Catalans'') are a professional rugby league club from Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. The team competes in the Super League and are the only team from ...

they frequently use the ground to train on. The ground has hosted two youth Internationals between France and England, on 11 November 2009 France won 22-14 and on 3 June 2011 England won 28-19

Current squad

Squad for 2022-23 Season

Notable players

* Georges Vaills * Pierre Saboureau *

Michel Vial Michel may refer to: * Michel (name), a given name or surname of French origin (and list of people with the name) * Míchel (nickname), a nickname (a list of people with the nickname, mainly Spanish footballers) * Míchel (footballer, born 1963), ...

* Pierre Zamora * Guy Lafforgue * Jean Claude Touxagas *

* David Berthezene *

Olivier Elima Olivier Elima (born 19 May 1983) is a French former professional rugby league footballer who was most recently head coach for the Palau Broncos in the French Elite One Championship. A France international representative forward, he played previ ...

Honours

* Elite Two (4): 1993–94, 2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13 * National Division 1 (1): 2007–8 * 2nd Division (3): 1958–59, 1984–85, 1999–2000 * 3rd Division (3): 1955–56, 1987–88, 1989–90 * Division Federal (1): 1964–65 * Federal Cup Winners (3): 1984, 2001, 2002 * Paul Dejean Cup Winners (1): 2008

External links

* http://www.broncos-palau13.com * http://www.ffr13.fr

References

1920 establishments in France Rugby league teams in France Rugby clubs established in 1920 Sport in Pyrénées-Orientales {{France-sport-stub