On Wednesday evening, the Luxembourg Rugby Federation (FLR) explained its reasoning and foresight in opting to recruit one full-time and three part-time professionals to replace outgoing National Technical Director Marty Davis who has returned to his native New Zealand.
With 800 licenced players in the federation and another 300 playing tag rugby in schools, the Grand Duchy has seen a significant rise in playing number over the past few years. In parallel, the senior national team recorded the largest leap in the world rankings of any nation last year, leaping from 84th to 67th. The FLR is also one of 48 nations affiliated to the European Rugby Federation.
With the federation in rude health, at least on the pitch, with underage teams and clubs also performing well, FLR President Steve Karier explained their thinking behind the four appointments:
- Alexandre Benedetti, National Technical Director (full-time) - at 33, he has worked for Rugby Club Metz; he will also be in charge of all national team selections;
- Jonathan Flynn, Headcoach Seniors XV (part-time) - he won 23 caps for Luxembourg and is a former trainer for Rugby Club Luxembourg;
- Lhali Mrani, coach/development coordinator (part-time); and
- Paul Sweetnam, coach/development coordinator (part-time) - was out leading a training session in advance of the new season starting this Saturday.
The key to the thought process and reasoning behind the appointments, as explained by Steve Karier, was for a sustainable future. The new team is young and has ambition. They have the brief to encourgae more young people to join and play for rugby clubs here.
When asked by The Luxembourg Chronicle about set goals, he explained that they are more qualitative then quantitive. Instead of setting a goal of a certain world ranking - Jonathan Flynn explained that all of the top 50 ranked countries field players contracted to the federations or clubs - they want to win every match they play. He acknowledged that there will be a point where Luxembourg rugby hits a ceiling.
Alexandre Benedetti also explained that the FLR needs to reinforce its technical structure and implement projects to enable further growth. He sees a huge potential in the south of the country near the French border and believes that within 5 years there will be at least one more rugby club in Luxembourg affiliated to the federation. He will also put a significant emphasis on developing rugby within schools.
The senior national team is currently sitting atop its pool at the halfway stage of the current European competition which spans a two-year period. Next up is an away game to Austria on 24 October before a home game to Serbia on 14 November.
Photo by Geoff Thompson
