Marc Mercier (1968-2009) - Born in the Paris suburbs, he played the game of
rugby from an early age and preferred to play at Fly-Half or Centre,
although was comfortable anywhere in the Backs.
He first came to Asia around 1993, as an employee of Ricard (the French
distiller), for whom he began working in Vietnam, and there he created a
rugby club so that he could play his beloved game. A pattern that he would
repeat elsewhere.
After 3 years in Vietnam, in 1996 he moved to Indonesia as Director of the
French Chamber of Commerce. He naturally joined ISCI rugby club where he
participated in a number of tours, including the 1998 tour to Manila and
Hong Kong, and was also an active committee member. Here he helped create a
French oriented team called the Rubipedes who played with the expected
Gallic flair. It was in Jakarta that he met his wife Anne, who hailed from
Scotland.
In 1999 he left Indonesia for Turkey, where he created yet another rugby
team, called the Ottoman Rugby Club, who would become the first Turkish
rugby champions. After 4 years in Turkey he returned to France, where he
continued to play rugby at the Union Athletique Vernoise (a small club close
to the town of Perigueux). He died at around 6.30 pm on Saturday June 13th
2009, during a game of rugby, 10 minutes from the game’s. He was 41 years
old.
Gerard Gioffredo, a friend and fellow Rubiped commented “Marc ’s was
dedicated as a club manager, treasurer, sheriff on tour, etc. That says it
all, we all loved this guy, and always will”
He is survived by his wife Anne and 2 children, daughter Axelle (7 years)
and Dylan (3 years). The thoughts of the whole Indonesian Rugby
Community are with them at this sad time.
Attached is a photo of the Rubipedes at the Bali 10s in 1997. Marc is second
left, front row” (Click to enlarge)
