welcome

The 2010/11 season is Olivier Azams Testimonial Year.

Over the coming season this site will be updated with all the latest info and events.

As part of the testimonial, there are going to be a number of events staged, which will in turn help very worthy charities in the Gloucestershire area - The Pied Piper Appeal, and Cancer Research to name but a few.

About Olivier Azam

Olivier Azam spent an idilic childhood on a traditional working farm close to the Pyrenees in France, with all of his family less than a stone's throw away at any one time. he was introduced to rugby at a very young age by his beloved father, Jean-Jacques. "when i was a toddler and just starting to walk, my father used to playfully trip me up in order to toughen me up as preparation for playing rugby!".

As Olivier grew older, he would always been seen with a rugby ball in his hand watching his father and uncle play top level rugby for south western french team, Bagneres. "Rugby has always played an important role in my family's life, in fact, i wouldn't be born if it wasn't for rugby, as it's through the sport that my mother met my father. My mother's brother played in the same team as my dad, and he introduced them!".

Years before the game reached the professional era, Olivier knew his destiny, and when asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, he would always answer "...i want to play rugby for a living!", and even when this comment was met with laughter, his answer never changed! "...i guess i had the last laugh on that one!".

As Olivier's strength and ability grew, he was selected to play for his City's team, Tarbes - but donning the number 8 shirt. As the years went on, Olivier found his home in the front row, first starting as a prop and then fitting comfortably into the position of Hooker, which he is now famous for. From Tarbes, Olivier left the comfort of the farm to pursue a university degree in the city of Clermont, he moved to a small one bed flat in the town centre and found a new club, AS Montferrand. It was at Clermont that Olivier caused a stir, and went on to represent his country, France, earning ten caps at the young age of 20 years old.

Olivier reached a point in his career where he wasn't content, and decided that enough was enough - it was time to find a 'proper' job, "...i wanted to quit, i wasn't enjoying the 'off field' politics that came with representing your country or club, and decided that i needed to get out! That same week, out of the blue, Phillipe Saint-Andre called me and said what are you doing next season, do you want to come to England?". Olivier saw this opportunity as an adventure, and decided that one year at Gloucester would give him a chance to sample other ways of life, and at the same time help him to learn english!!

10 years down the line, he is still here and is more 'Gloucester' than many born and bred here! "... i did go back to Clermont for a season in 2003, but whilst there i remembered why i wanted to leave rugby altogether, and it was down to french rugby politics! Also, i missed Gloucester, which is strange for a french man, but i felt homesick! the rest is history!...Ten years down the line, i am now teaching my son Thomas how to throw a rugby ball, as my father did with me, except now i am in England, my son was born in Gloucester, as was my wife, Katie, and i wouldn't have it any other way!"