First UNSS prize-giving: a celebration of unified school sport

Première remise de prix UNSS © Stéphane Danna - Direction de la Communication

The Principality’s secondary schools – Collège Charles III, Lycée Albert I, Lycée Rainier III and the François d’Assise-Nicolas Barré Collège and Lycée – came together for the first joint Union Nationale du Sport Scolaire (UNSS, National Union for School Sport) prize-giving. This marks a new stage in the development of school sports in Monaco.

93 pupils receive awards honouring their commitment and performance

The aim of this brand-new ceremony, organised under the aegis of the Department of Education, Youth and Sport, was to highlight the commitment shown by pupils throughout the year, whether that was expressed through performance, sportsmanship or their role as a junior official.        

A total of three different awards were presented to 93 pupils:

- Sporting prizes, for pupils who participated in a French championship;    

- Merit prizes, awarded to two pupils per activity from each school for their conscientiousness and exemplary conduct;    

- Junior official prizes, awarded to referees, judges and reporters who gained a certification or made an active contribution to sporting life.  

The prize-giving ceremony concluded with a performance by pupils from the dance section, a new activity offered for 2024–2025.

A busy year for UNSS Monaco            

With 700 members, the UNSS Monaco district once again outstripped national averages in 2024–2025. The district distinguished itself through its active organisation – the Principality hosted several departmental and district competitions – and the outstanding achievements of its pupils. Notable performances included Lycée Albert I rising to second place in the French national football league, and its stunning achievements in cross-country running and rowing, right up to national level. In athletics, Monegasque schools dominated the top spots at local and district level.           

Pupils regularly excelled in climbing, gymnastics, basketball and badminton. In indoor rowing, the teams ranked an honourable fifth nationally.

As well as recognising performance, the ceremony was also an opportunity to highlight the wide range of activities on offer, from rugby to bodybuilding, boules to fencing, and to applaud the civic commitment of junior officials, who play a key role in UNSS operations.              

The Department of Education, Youth and Sport commends the dedication of the physical education and sports teachers who supervise activities throughout the year.             

This first joint prize-giving, designed to promote sharing and recognition, demonstrates the vitality of school sports in the Principality, and the determination of those involved to strengthen the links between schools based around sporting values.