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!