Présidents d’Honneur
John Hume M.P M.E.P. (Lauréat du Prix Nobel de la Paix)
S.E. Padraic McKernan (Ambassadeur d’Irlande à Paris)
Tom Kennedy (Consul-Général de Grande Bretagne à Bordeaux)
Alain Juppé (Député-Maire de Bordeaux, Ancien Premier Ministre)
Brinton Rowdybush (Consul des Etats-Unis d'Amérique à Bordeaux)

W.I.S.E.   S.C.A.  (Welsh, Irish, Scottish & English  Sporting and Cultural Association) was created to promote contacts and exchanges between people from the Geographical (and not political) British Isles and inhabitants of the host country, France and more widely Europeans and other nationals who are interested in the culture of 'WISE'.  

The foundations for W.I.S.E  were laid over 20 years ago when a group of Irish and English student teachers (assistants, lecteurs...) began to meet regularly for discussions and celebrate Saint Patrick's Day, Hallowe'en, Guy Fawkes' Night etc. Frank Jackson, who taught in Sup de Co, Tech de Co, Lycée Gustave Eiffel ... also played football for these establishments and often recruited fellow ex-pats to play against visiting teams from the British Isles. Several 'W.I.S.E.' already played regularly for the ASPEN team (Association Sportive du Personnel de l'Education Nationale) in friendly games against the Royal Navy, Irish and French Navies, and several visiting teams in the Bordeaux region.
     The focal point of these encounters was a N.A.T.O. (O.T.A.N.) football tournament between the armed naval forces of France, Britain, Germany, Holland, Spain and The Connemara played in a competitive but friendly atmosphere where Fair Play was the key value and the beginning of a series of meetings between WISE and other European nationals which would include Clubs, Supporters, Businessmen, Schools and Erasmus exchange students...
     After many years of activity involving an informal association of 'WISE' ex-patriot friends, an official French Association Loi 1901 was founded in 2002. In the same year a football team was registered in the Bordeaux Sunday Morning League (coming second in the augural season) and there are plans to create teams for Rugby, Hockey, Tennis and Golf. We have also been approached to create, or participate in, teams for American Football, Gaelic Football, Cricket and Netball...
     Other interests include many "pub" based activities such as Darts, Pool, Cards, Dominoes, Chess, and other Games as well as Music, Poetry, Films, Debates, Wine Tasting and Conferences...    We would be pleased to hear from you and for you to join as a Member or Committee organiser to create and promote further events.

                    Regards                  Francis (Frank) Jackson    President of W.I.S.E.  S.C.A.