Xavier-Albert Canal, President of the Catalan Rugb
Xavier-Albert Canal, President of the Catalan Rugby Federation
Xavier-Albert Canal, President of the Catalan Rugb
Xavier-Albert Canal, President of the Catalan Rugby Federation
What is the stand of the new Board of Management of the Catalan Rugby Federation with regard to Catalan Teams?
The candidature that I led made very clear from the very beginning that one of the key points of our program was to obtain the international recognition of the Catalan Rugby Federation. The board of management will do all the work that is necessary to succeed in making the Catalan Rugby Federation be accepted like any other member of the International Federation. In fact, the main difference existing between the programs of both candidatures that aspired to win the federative elections was the following: ours explicitly advocated the right of the Catalan Rugby Team to compete like any other team. In addition, we are convinced that this recognition will help to make Catalan rugby acquire greater importance.
When are you going to ask for admission to the International Federation?
I have been the President of the Catalan Rugby Federation since May 17 and, therefore, I have only been able to start working now. We are analysing the Federation in general and what are the steps that have been taken until now to obtain the recognition of the International Federation. At present, we do not know what time limits we will need to start working in this sense. However, something is very clear: we do not lack wish, ideas and will. We must be able to plan a programme that cannot be attacked; we must be discreet and work like our mates of the Catalan Skating Federation until the Miami assembly. Nevertheless, we do not want to have a Fresno after it. In fact, twelve or fourteen years ago, Catalan rugby was very close to obtaining international recognition; it even came closer to it than the Catalan Skating Federation but, finally, Spanish political pressure thwarted it.
“The board of management I preside has a very clear aim: to get the Catalan Rugby Federation to become a full member of the International Federation. We will do everything possible to obtain it.”
What is the situation now of the Catalan Rugby Federation on the international scene?
We must create international contact networks, but to do it we will need resources. Unlike what happens with hockey, Catalan rugby is not a world power and this is why we will have to work a lot to be recognised. Fortunately, we have a team of very qualified people that will certainly obtain important successes. We have to speak with the other national federations and the international one. However, to do it we will need resources that right now we do not have.
“One of the points of the programme with which we must win the elections states it very clearly: we will work for the Catalan Rugby Federation to compete in international competitions like any other federation.”
Do you have the support of clubs?
Most Catalan clubs are in favour of the international recognition of Catalan Teams. In our programme it appeared very clearly that we would ask for admission to the International Federation, and most clubs voted for us; therefore, we have their support.
“We have to be persistent. Most citizens want official Catalan Teams; almost all political parties defend them, we shall succeed.”
Are you optimistic? Do you believe that in the short term you will see the Catalan Rugby Team competing like any other selection?
I am sure that we will see the Catalan Rugby Team and also teams of other sports. We must be optimistic for most citizens of Catalonia want official teams and almost all political parties with parliamentary representation have advocated them. We have to be perseverant. Let us put it like that: if in four years we obtain the international recognition of the Catalan Rugby Federation, then, I can die. At any rate, we aspire at least to come very close to its definitive admission.
“We must improve the level of our rugby; this is why we will launch a scheme of technification for the Catalan Team. Furthermore, we want to foster the brand ‘Catalan Rugby’.”
What other aims would you like to attain in these four years?
We will foster a scheme for the promotion of rugby; we must double the number of licenses and go from the 28 clubs that exist now in Catalonia to at least 35. Moreover, we will launch a technification scheme of the Catalan Team that allows us to compete with some guarantees in the European Championship of Regions. We will also set up a department of communication and marketing to promote the brand “Catalan Rugby”.