Association LES ENFANTS DE L'OVALE

What Association LES ENFANTS DE L'OVALE does

Les Enfants de l'Ovale is a French non-profit association (loi 1901) founded in 2003 by Philippe Sella, a former French rugby international with 111 caps, together with a group of friends. The association uses rugby's values and rules — respect, engagement, solidarity, surpassing oneself, and trust — as a pedagogical vehicle to deliver a holistic educational program for children aged 8–15 from disadvantaged neighborhoods and difficult urban areas. The integrated program combines on-field rugby practice, multi-disciplinary academic tutoring, world/cultural opening activities, health and nutrition training, regular medical follow-up, and meal distributions.

The organization operates 11 centers across 8 countries (Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, France, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Senegal), serving more than 1,300 children (46.7% of whom are girls), supported by 120+ sports and socio-educational educators and an active volunteer base. The 2012-vintage EDO Academy provides continuous training and supervision for educators across all sites. Local implementation is conducted via country-level partner organizations (e.g., AMEDO in Morocco, Maison du Rugby in Senegal, TBO in Côte d'Ivoire, Académie Vincent Turbat in Niger, Grandir avec le Rugby in Benin). There is no proprietary commercial technology; the website is a WordPress platform with a WooCommerce-based EDO boutique.

Revenue derives from individual donations (« Ami(e)s de Cœur ») which carry a 66% French tax deduction under the association's « reconnaissance d'intérêt général » status, corporate partnerships and sponsorships (TotalEnergies, Atlas Foundation, Fondation Air France, ECL Group, CFAO, Killgerm, Telenco), annual charitable events (galas at the Grand Hôtel Intercontinental Paris, the EDO Golf Cup by Philippe Sella, tombolas at trade shows such as PARASITEC), and proceeds from the EDO boutique. Philippe Sella has served as President since founding.

Name

Association LES ENFANTS DE L'OVALE

Legal name

Association des Enfants de l'Ovale

Website

https://enfantsdelovale.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Association LES ENFANTS DE L'OVALE is a French non-profit founded in 2003 by rugby legend Philippe Sella. It uses rugby values to deliver holistic educational programming to 1,300+ disadvantaged children aged 8–15 across 11 centers in 8 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Youth Education Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB), Title I & Compensatory Education Programs (EDAJAGAJ)

Keywords

• Rugby education programs
• Youth social development
• Charitable association services
• Sport-based pedagogy
• Community youth empowerment

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Dons et legs caritatifs: L'association repose sur des dons de particuliers ('Ami(e)s de Cœur') et d'entreprises. Elle est reconnue d'intérêt général, ouvrant droit à une réduction d'impôt de 66% pour les donateurs. Des legs et donations sont également possibles.
2. Ventes boutique: Une boutique en ligne (EDO boutique) vend des produits au profit de l'association.
3. Événements caritatifs: Soirées caritatives annuelles, tombolas lors de salons, tournois de golf caritatifs, et autres manifestations générant des recettes pour l'association.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Les Enfants de l'Ovale delivers a free, integrated educational program built around rugby for children aged 8 to 15 from disadvantaged neighborhoods, combining rugby practice, multi-disciplinary academic support, health and nutrition education, regular medical follow-up, and a program of cultural openness. Services are delivered through 11 centers across 8 countries (France, Madagascar, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, Benin) staffed by 120 sport and socio-educational educators trained via the in-house EDO Academy (created in 2012). The association's operating budget is funded through individual donations, corporate partnerships, fundraising events, bequests, and EDO boutique sales, with donors benefiting from a 66% tax deduction under French general-interest status.

Product overview

Les Enfants de l'Ovale is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 by rugby legend Philippe Sella. It operates a unified educational program built around rugby, offering sports activities, academic tutoring, health/nutrition education, and world exploration. The association runs 11 centers across 8 countries (France, Madagascar, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, Benin) serving over 1,300 children. The Académie EDO, established in 2012, provides continuous training for educators. The organization also hosts annual charitable events including galas and the EDO Golf Cup to support operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Académie EDO: Training academy created in 2012 for permanent training of EDO educators and supervisors

Products and services

• Rugby-Based Educational Program (Projet Éducatif) Integrated educational program that uses rugby practice and its values (respect, engagement, solidarity, surpassing oneself, trust) as a pedagogical vehicle for children aged 8-15 from disadvantaged neighborhoods, delivered free of charge through 11 EDO centers across 8 countries.
• Académie EDO (EDO Academy) In-house training academy established in 2012 that provides continuous pedagogical training and supervision for sport and socio-educational educators working across all EDO centers, ensuring consistent program quality.
• Multi-disciplinary Academic Support and Tutoring Multi-disciplinary school tutoring helping participating children maintain or improve their academic performance while they engage in sports activities, delivered alongside the rugby sessions.
• Health, Nutrition and Medical Follow-up Program Program covering health awareness training, nutrition education, regular medical check-ups, and meal distributions for children attending the EDO centers.
• Annual Charity Gala (Soirée Caritative) Annual charity evening organized by the association, primarily targeting corporate sponsors and individual donors to raise funds for the operation and expansion of the 11 EDO centers.
• EDO Golf Cup by Philippe Sella Annual solidarity golf tournament held at the golf d'Ableiges and named after founder Philippe Sella, serving as a fundraising event for the association.

Quantifiable outcome

• Plus de 7000 filles et garçons accompagnés depuis la création en 2003
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Grandir avec le Rugby (GAR) - BéninmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Jeune association partenaire au Bénin. En 2023-2024, une session de formation de 4 jours a été organisée à Cotonou pour les éducateurs. L'Ambassadeur de France au Bénin a reçu une délégation EDO-GAR en mai 2024.
• Liptinfor - NigerminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Société internet implantée à Niamey qui a installé gratuitement la connexion Internet pour la salle informatique du centre EDO Niger.
• Opération Barkhane (Forces armées françaises)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021L'opération Barkhane présente au Niger a soutenu le centre EDO de Niamey en fournissant des panneaux solaires, des ordinateurs et des ventilateurs.
• Apprentis d'AuteuilmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Partenaire historique ayant initié la mission au Sénégal en 2011. Collaboration pour le développement de projets éducatifs et sportifs auprès des jeunes défavorisés.
• Maison du Rugby (MDR) - SénégalcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2011Partenaire local au Sénégal, située à Yoff (banlieue de Dakar), en partenariat avec la Fédération Sénégalaise de Rugby. Convention signée en décembre 2011. EDO apporte son expertise pour le projet éducatif et la formation des éducateurs.
• AMEDO - Association Marocaine des Enfants de l'OvalecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2010Association locale créée en 2010 au Maroc, présidée par Said Zniber, gère les sites EDO au Maroc (Mers-El-Kheir, Agadir, Casablanca) avec le soutien de l'Entraide Nationale et du Ministère de l'Éducation marocain.
• Académie Vincent Turbat / Association de Rugby VT - NigercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2010Académie de rugby à Niamey soutenue par les Enfants de l'Ovale depuis 2010, opérant sur plusieurs sites (siège, Gaweye 1, Pont Kennedy) avec 130 jeunes et 12 intervenants.
• Treichville Biafra Olympique (TBO) - Côte d'IvoirecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2010Club de rugby partenaire à Treichville, Abidjan. Convention signée en 2010 avec EDO pour le projet éducatif auprès des jeunes. EDO-TBO présidé par Philippe Chatot.
• Ligue de Rugby de Nouvelle AquitaineminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2004Partenaire ayant fourni du matériel et des équipements destinés aux jeunes des centres EDO (notamment Niger).
• Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Partenariat stratégique dès la création de l'association. La FFR apporte son soutien institutionnel et son expertise rugbystique. L'association est placée sous le patronage du Secrétariat aux Sports et de la FFR.
• Secrétariat aux Sports, à la Jeunesse et à la Vie AssociativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Patronage officiel du Secrétariat aux Sports dès la création de l'association, renforçant la légitimité institutionnelle de EDO.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Right to Play: International NGO using sport and play to educate and empower children facing adversity across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Directly comparable sport-for-development mission and multi-country delivery model, though broader in sport choice and geographically wider.
• Sport dans la Ville: French non-profit using sport (primarily soccer) to support professional and social integration of young people from disadvantaged neighborhoods. Directly comparable mission, geography (France), and target population to Les Enfants de l'Ovale, though operating in a different sport.
• PeacePlayers International: NGO using basketball to bring children from divided communities together. Comparable sport-as-peace-education model and youth-development outcome focus, though basketball-based and operating in conflict-affected regions rather than disadvantaged neighborhoods.
• ChildFund Rugby: Rugby-focused arm of ChildFund International using the sport to promote education, health, and leadership for children in rugby-playing nations across Asia and Africa. The closest direct comparator by both sport choice and target geography.

Broad incumbents

• Plan International: Global development and humanitarian organization focused on children's rights, education, and gender equality, operating in many of the same African and developing-country geographies as EDO. Comparable international child-development NGO with broader programming.
• Laureus Sport for Good Foundation: Global foundation funding sport-for-development programs across more than 100 countries. Comparable mission of using sport to address social challenges; operates as a funder/incumbent rather than a direct service provider, and could be a peer funder of EDO.
• Terre des Hommes (France): Major French child-rights NGO operating in development contexts including West Africa and Madagascar. Comparable mission of supporting disadvantaged children in the same geographies EDO serves; broader than sport-based education but overlapping beneficiary profile.
• UNICEF Sport for Development: UN agency running sport-based programs for child development, health, and education globally. Comparable in using sport to deliver child-development outcomes at scale; acts as both a peer and a potential funding/program partner for EDO.

Emerging players

• Kick4Life: Lesotho-based NGO using football to deliver health, education, and livelihoods programs to vulnerable youth. Closely comparable sport-for-development model targeting disadvantaged children in Africa, though football-based and focused on Lesotho.

Others

• Fondation de France: France's largest philanthropic foundation network, active across education, social inclusion, and youth development. Relevant ecosystem peer as a potential major institutional funder for French non-profits like Les Enfants de l'Ovale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/205120832897802
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-les-enfants-de-l-ovale
• Instagraminstagram.com/lesenfantsdelovale

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association LES ENFANTS DE L'OVALE