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| Toulouse Olympique XIII | |
|---|---|
| Clubname | Toulouse Olympique XIII |
| Fullname | Toulouse Olympique XIII |
| Nickname | Les Olympiens, TO |
| Founded | 1937 |
| Ground | Stade Ernest-Wallon |
| Capacity | 19,500 |
| Chairman | Bernard Sarrazain |
| Coach | Sylvain Houles |
| League | Betfred Championship |
| Season | 2023 |
| Position | 4th |
Toulouse Olympique XIII is a professional rugby league club based in Toulouse, Haute-Garonne, in the Occitanie of southern France. Founded in 1937, the club has competed in both French domestic competitions and the English Rugby Football League system, pursuing promotion to the Super League while cultivating local talent and engaging with regional institutions such as the Stade Toulousain sporting community and the Mairie de Toulouse. Toulouse has been a focal point for cross-border rugby league interactions involving clubs like Leigh Leopards, London Broncos, Warrington Wolves and national sides including France national rugby league team.
Toulouse Olympique XIII was established in 1937 amid the interwar expansion of rugby league in France. Early decades saw competition against clubs such as RC Roanne XIII, AS Carcassonne and XIII Catalan in the French Championship and Lord Derby Cup, while national developments involved figures linked to the Vichy regime era sport controversies and post-war reconstruction. In the late 20th century, the club alternated between the Elite One Championship and lower divisions, producing internationals who represented France national rugby league team in tournaments like the Rugby League World Cup. A strategic bid to join the Rugby Football League pathway led to participation in the English Championship and playoff campaigns against teams such as Featherstone Rovers and Leigh Centurions, with managerial decisions influenced by relationships with entities like Lille Olympique Sporting Club and coaching exchanges involving personnel from Catalans Dragons and Huddersfield Giants.
Home fixtures have been hosted at venues including the historic Stade des Sept Deniers and frequently at the larger Stade Ernest-Wallon, shared with the rugby union club Stade Toulousain. Facilities encompass training pitches, medical suites and administrative offices that interact with local institutions like the Université Toulouse I – Capitole for sports science collaborations and municipal sports services overseen by the Mairie de Toulouse. Matchday logistics often involve coordination with regional transport hubs such as Toulouse–Blagnac Airport and local supporter organizations.
The club identity incorporates the Occitan heritage of Occitania and civic symbols of Toulouse, reflected in team insignia and kit. Traditional colours are sky blue and white, with alternate kits sometimes adopting navy or burgundy influenced by regional palettes shared with Stade Toulousain and historical city heraldry. Branding and crest designs have evolved through sponsorships with companies and ties to local industry players, and merchandise has been retailed through outlets associated with sports retail chains and municipal events.
Over time, the squad has combined domestic prospects from regional academies with recruits from abroad, including players who previously played for Wakefield Trinity, Salford Red Devils, Leeds Rhinos and Australian National Rugby League clubs. Coaching staffs have included head coaches and assistants with experience in competitions such as the Super League, Championship and international test matches. The club medical and strength teams cooperate with performance specialists linked to institutions like Institut National du Sport, de l'Expertise et de la Performance for athlete support and rehabilitation. Notable alumni have gone on to feature for France national rugby league team and in representative fixtures against England national rugby league team and Australia national rugby league team.
Toulouse has contested the French Elite One Championship, the Lord Derby Cup, and participated in the English league pyramid via the Rugby Football League to seek access to the Super League licensing structure and promotion play-offs. Seasonal campaigns have involved long-distance fixtures across England and travel logistics comparable to those of Catalans Dragons when competing internationally. Domestic seasons have produced derbies with clubs such as Saint-Estève XIII Catalan and cup ties that attracted attention from French rugby league spectators and national media.
The club’s honours include top finishes in French competitions and cup runs in the Lord Derby Cup, with individual player records for appearances and points logged in both domestic and cross-channel fixtures. Match records have been set in notable fixtures against English opposition during playoff campaigns, and Toulouse players have set scoring and appearance milestones later referenced in archives held by organizations such as the Fédération Française de Rugby à XIII.
Toulouse operates youth academies and outreach schemes that engage schools, municipal sports programs and community groups, aligning with local education partners such as Académie de Toulouse. Development pathways connect to regional talent identification events and collaborations with clubs including TO XIII Academy structures and pathways to national age-grade squads. Community initiatives include participation in charity matches, grassroots coaching clinics, and social inclusion projects coordinated with municipal bodies and regional nonprofits, aimed at widening access to rugby league in Occitanie.
Category:Rugby league teams in France Category:Sport in Toulouse