Anselmians RUFC
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A Letter from Baku
An Anselmian Abroad
A LETTER FROM BAKU
To all members of Anselmians Rugby Club. This is a missive to let you know that the Rugby Gospel according to St Anselm is being spread worldwide. Your correspondent is at present residing in the Eurasian city of Baku, capital of Azerbaijan. This rapidly growing, if not to say booming city is trying to add another item to its ever expanding portfolio of “Western Promise”, namely rugby union.
I arrived here a fortnight ago and in a moment of boredom I penned a brief email to the Azerbaijan Rugby Union. Imagine my surprise when they not only replied but where keen to meet this “top” English coach. Obviously we met in a local hostelry where after imbibing a number of quarts of the local brew I more or less promised qualification for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, well Baku is halfway to Japan.
It was agreed that I would get myself involved with coaching the prospective Azerbaijan team and on Sunday 22 January following an interesting journey via Metro and local taxi I arrived at the Sefa Stadium to find facilities that wouldn’t be out of place at top level rugby, I then met my squad, they would look out of place around any level of rugby (see photo). They do say it’s always good to start with a blank canvas.
From the session that followed, it’s difficult to get your point across when only 1 of your squad speaks your language (I know how Capello must feel), I gleaned that Azerbaijan rugby consists of picking the ball up and running full tilt at the nearest opposition player regardless of where he is standing – I told you Anselmian rugby was alive and well abroad but as I said earlier at least there is plenty to work on.
Anyone who has got any ideas on how to improve this motley crew please comment.
To all members of Anselmians Rugby Club. This is a missive to let you know that the Rugby Gospel according to St Anselm is being spread worldwide. Your correspondent is at present residing in the Eurasian city of Baku, capital of Azerbaijan. This rapidly growing, if not to say booming city is trying to add another item to its ever expanding portfolio of “Western Promise”, namely rugby union.
I arrived here a fortnight ago and in a moment of boredom I penned a brief email to the Azerbaijan Rugby Union. Imagine my surprise when they not only replied but where keen to meet this “top” English coach. Obviously we met in a local hostelry where after imbibing a number of quarts of the local brew I more or less promised qualification for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, well Baku is halfway to Japan.
It was agreed that I would get myself involved with coaching the prospective Azerbaijan team and on Sunday 22 January following an interesting journey via Metro and local taxi I arrived at the Sefa Stadium to find facilities that wouldn’t be out of place at top level rugby, I then met my squad, they would look out of place around any level of rugby (see photo). They do say it’s always good to start with a blank canvas.
From the session that followed, it’s difficult to get your point across when only 1 of your squad speaks your language (I know how Capello must feel), I gleaned that Azerbaijan rugby consists of picking the ball up and running full tilt at the nearest opposition player regardless of where he is standing – I told you Anselmian rugby was alive and well abroad but as I said earlier at least there is plenty to work on.
Anyone who has got any ideas on how to improve this motley crew please comment.
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Sean the U13's are looking for some tour games...but on the basis that a mate of mine recently in the Ujar area of Azerbaijan described it as " like post apocalypse Merthyr Tydfil " we might settle on the Lake District as a fall back. Good luck and stay lucky!
I see you as a player manager type. Inspirational on and off the pitch. Just don't play stand off.
Hi Sean
Can we have a weekly blog form you so that we may share the tactics of a national coach?
PS. My mother was Azerbaijan, so Luke qualifies if needed! (small fee required)
I'm with Steve Diamond on Friday Sean - as you may know, he was formerly the coach with Russia and managed to get them to their first World Cup, so a not dissimilar situation - I'll ask him if he can give you any advice. What's the best email address to get you on?
Any help or advice would be really appreciated. The best email address is seannolan@btinternet.com. Thanks
Hi Sean
Two pieces of advise:
1. Don't swear in post match press conferences
2. Don't try and steal the match ball after the game
Always worked for me!
Good Luck
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