Award ceremony: 2026 Mérite Elsy Jacobs Prize

The 2026 Mérite Elsy Jacobs Prize has been awarded to Giulia Iannucci, the local winner chosen by the City of Luxembourg, and to Joëlle Letsch, the national winner. The ceremony was held on 11 November 2026 at the Schéiss cultural centre in Belair. This award recognises individuals who demonstrate exemplary personal commitment to advancing gender equality in sport.

Giulia Iannucci: developing women's rugby

Giulia Iannucci, the first woman to serve as president of Rugby Club Luxembourg, has been active in the club since arriving in Luxembourg in 2020. She started off coaching the Under 6s, then went on to work with the Under 12s before becoming president of the club in 2025.

To give girls the same opportunities as boys, she started a girls' team at the club – at the time, just the second girls' team in the country, after the Walferdange team. She also established Ladies Rugby Day, an initiative that promotes women's rugby, and the fourth edition of which was held in April 2026 at the Boy Konen Sports Centre.

Joëlle Letsch: promoting equality in sport

Joëlle Letsch, a psychologist by profession and an expert in gender equality for over 30 years, has long been committed to promoting gender equality in sport. She first became aware of the inequalities between male and female athletes – particularly in terms of media visibility – in her teenage years and, since then, has made this cause central to her professional and volunteer work.

She is actively involved in business and sporting circles, where she shares her experience through training, coaching and mentoring. She has also co-initiated a number of projects focused on the history and showcasing of women in Luxembourg sports, and is active in national and international organisations that promote women's rights.