Interview with Jose Gomez Bavaresco of Caciques Rugby Club, Venezuela

Special Report by Leandro Conde for A Rugby Life

Mr. Jose Gomez Bavaresco or "Pepe" is another unsung hero from the developing rugby world. He talks to me about how rugby is progressing in Venezuela. 

ARL: How did the Caciques Rugby Club begin and where do you compete? 

JGB: Caciques was born in the Carpiera neighborhood (Venezuela) through the motivation of our friends and neighbors to play rugby on the weekends.  In 2012, Edgardo Lopez, the Director at the Sports Institute of Sucre district, suggested to me consolidate the club to represent rugby in Sucre. 

Currently, we are participating in the 2nd Division at the Venezuelan Middle Tournament with clubs from Caracas, Valencia, Los Llanos and Aragua. 

ARL: What are the principal obstacles for a development club and how is possible to make progress? 

JGB: The obstacle are the people. People think that rugby is an aggressive sport without understanding rugby's value and its lifestyle.  It also needs continue support from the members of the club to travel, to buy uniform packages and rugby equipment, etc. 

In my opinion, the progress comes from the support of sponsors, rugby events organized by the club members, and a collective consciousness believing that the club is our family. 

ARL: Can you talk about South American Rugby and the National Team of your country? 

JGB: South American Rugby is growing considerably and has a big push from Argentina. They are working on the children base and it is a good example to copy. 

My country, Venezuela is developing and the principal representative is our Women's National Team. Venezuela have talented players, however, we need more support for them. 

ARL: What have you learned from Rugby? 

JGB: Rugby fills our soul and spirit. Rugby teaches to not weaken but continue running, and to fight for your dreams. The competition is with ourselves. Rugby is Caciques, Rugby is tribe. 

Interview with Maser Madueño, President of the Peruvian Rugby Federation

Special Report by Leandro Conde for A Rugby Life

Peru has great potential to be the next big rugby nation in South American with its solid economy and infrastructure, plus the support of the Olympic Committee.  I talk to Mr. Maser Madueño, President of Peruvian Rugby Federation, to learn more.

Maser Madueño, President of 
the Peruvian Rugby Federation

ARL: When did you first discover rugby?

MM: I began playin

g

 rugby when I 

was

 16 years old at the Newton College. In th

ose

 days, we took part in the Lima Cricket Club To

u

rnaments, playing against French and English teachers. As well as playing club level, I also played for over 10 years for Peru National Team where I 

 met

 nice friends, and understood that 

to be

 

a Rugby Player is being part of a nation that shares the same values. 

ARL: What was your motivation to lead the Peruvian Rugby?

MM: W

hen I was 39, I bec

a

me Coach of the National Sevens Team, which I did for 3 years.  I had a background in Economics and combined with my work in management, I was able to create a successful, 

high performance program

. I also had a very good relationship with the clubs and my work for the development of Rugby motivated me to lead the Peruvian Rugby Federation. 

  

ARL: What are you doing in particular for Rugby in Peru?

MM: Presently

, the

 Peruvian Rugby Federation is working to increase 

its

 base through the different devel

o

pment programs around the country. We have recruit

ed

 a Sports Management CEO with expertise in Spain a

nd

 together with our Devel

o

pment and High performance team, plus our Head Coach and  Tournament Director, we looking to make rugby 

the

 Peruvian sport

 that grows the most

. 

ARL: Talking about Panamerican Rugby, what are the challenges with integration of CONSUR-NACRA? 

MM: I think that CONSUR and NACRA must work together.

  

There are 15 National Union in NACRA and 8 at CONSUR.  Also more National teams such as Panamá, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Mexico are also engag

ed

 and looking to play.  A consequence of this gro

w

th is that 

we

 have to consider all the levels of game for these N

a

tional Teams and not just the Conferences.    

ARL: What is your message to people about your Rugby life?

MM:  Rugby brought me 

to 

competitive matches with rivals that became friends; to tours, to joys and to sorrows. However, rugby is

 about

 

its

 lifestyle to change people and now I working to share the passion 

that r

ugby brought to me

. 

 Rugby never end

s!

The State of Play Podcast - Episode 5: USARL

In this latest episode, I get the lowdown on the recent developments in Rugby League from USARL’s Daryl “Spinner” Howland.

We chat about the expansion of the South Eastern Rugby League, and new partnerships with clubs like the Leeds Rhinos.  Plus the formation of the league's first National developmental team, the USA Pioneers.

You can listen to podcast via the player below as well as via iTunes, Stitcher, and Feedburner. 

And as mentioned in then show, I welcome your feedback! Post your comments and questions on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ etc. using the hashtag  #TheStateOfPlay

The State of Play Podcast - Episode 4: The NRFL

I welcome back USA Rugby correspondents, Grant Cole (Ruck Bottom) and Ted Hardy (Rugby America), as we discuss the National Rugby Football League (NRFL); a US based professional rugby union league.  

We are joined by special guest, George 'Mac' Robertson of Rugby Law LLC, the organization behind the league.

You can listen to podcast via the player below as well as via iTunes,  Soundcloud, Stitcher, and Feedburner. 

And as mentioned in then show, I welcome your feedback! Please share your comments and questions on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ etc. using the hashtag #NRFL or #TheStateOfPlay