Rugby, coach Granatelli sounds the charge: “Let’s keep giving it our best, we have big goals.”

Despite the forced stop, the AS Luiss Avio Rugby Team continues to work hard to prepare for the start of the championship. Not an easy task, due to the restrictions imposed by the Regional Committee to deal with the pandemic. Coach Giampietro Granatelli, about this matter, has reorganized the training sessions to avoid physical contact. He tells us about it himself, praising the commitment of his boys and sending them an encouraging message.

Coach, how have you dealt with this downtime?

Despite the difficult moment, in many ways, we have continued to train, since the beginning of the season. We apply the protocols issued by the FIR regarding individual technique drills, without stopping.

How are the trainings going on, in view of the beginning of the championship?

They are proceeding well. We took a short break only during the Christmas period, also in sinergy with the university activities of the boys and in function of the renewal of the medical visits. We hope to resume full training in March.

When is the restart of official matches scheduled?

At the moment, it is scheduled for the second week of April. The Federation, or rather the Regional Committee, has had to postpone the start in compliance with the DPCMs that have been decided. As of today, we can only carry out technical-tactical exercises, that is, training aimed at the knowledge of the development of the game. In slang we call them “empty”: they do not involve physical contact, but they do include the use of the ball.

What is the team’s goal for the season?

We want to continue to give our best to become, following the model of basketball and soccer, the first university club composed only of students. The goal is to achieve more and more important results. It won’t be easy, but we have to push everyone in this direction.

What’s the mood of the kids?

They are looking forward to getting back to normal, also because training without playing is frustrating. I’m very proud of them though, because they continue to give 100%, both on the field and in their studies. And this is the right way.

We thank Giampietro Granatelli and wish his boys the best of luck.