Castillo carries on the good work

In an exclusive interview with Planet Rugby, UAR president Luis Francisco Castillo talks about the future of the game in Argentina.

Luis Francisco Castillo was elected Argentinean Rugby Union (UAR) president for a two-year period last December.

This 61-year old former player is the first President not originally from Buenos Aires in the history of the national union.

Castillo was UAR first vice-president when Porfirio Carreras presided during the 2008-2009 period. Now he is in the main office until December 2011.

These two years are essential for Argentinean rugby after SANZAR formally invited the South Americans to play the prestigious Tri-Nations from 2012.

Besides that, Argentina will be represented with a third-tier national team in the next Vodacom Cup in South Africa as a part of the integration process. The brand-new Pampas XV will compete in the provincial tournament next month.

Planet Rugby caught up with Castillo as he talked about the current status of Argentinean rugby, one month since the new UAR administration came into office.

“The first thing we do is to preserve the good and positive things that have been done during the presidency of Porfirio Carreras,” he stated.

“That includes all the clubs' rugby projects and programs and also the good and positive things that we are currently doing in the high performance rugby.”

Castillo said his country now has a substantial commitment in top-level competitive rugby that is the Argentinean team in the Vodacom Cup, starting on February 17. “We are working on it trying to do our best,” he commented.

The team will spend almost two and a half months in South Africa playing at least seven games – ten games should it reach the final. It is a 29-man roster that together with the staff totals 35 or 36 persons.

“It is not only great news but also an important challenge and a big responsibility for our institution,” continued Castillo.

“Not only will South African rugby eyes but also world rugby eyes be placed on our performance with the Pampas XV team.”

According to the president, the participation of the Pampas on South African soil backs the high performance plan called PLADAR that started last year.

“This shows there is a willingness to keep on improving over something that is going well and the Pumas are stronger every time, especially in regard to 2012.”

The other significant events in the President's 2010 calendar are the IRB Junior World Championship [to be played in Argentina in June], the Pumas' Test matches and the Jaguars' games in North America.

Castillo will also have to try and soothe an argument inside Argentina. The authorities of the strongest regional union – Buenos Aires – refuse to allow its PLADAR players compete in the internal championships. They believe competitions like the National Provincial Championship and the Buenos Aires tournament should not include professional sportsmen, but PLADAR players not taken abroad would then have nowhere to play.

There will be a big assembly in Buenos Aires next month where this matter will be top of the agenda.

“I am convinced that the Buenos Aires authorities together with the clubs' presidents are going to reach an agreement, a solution that benefits the players,” Castillo said.

“The most harmed are the players who want to play and go ahead. The authorities must think for five minutes on the players. Every member of the authority is a former player. There has to be a positive decision, even if only temporary, which favours the players. I have every faith that things will end up well.”

The UAR president also expressed his worry not only for the limited competition the Pumas are having but also for the players in the Pumas' roster who are not playing as frequently as recommended in their teams in Europe.

“That is a big handicap we are having; it is also a big handicap thinking of the preparation for the next Rugby World Cup in 2011,” he said.

Meanwhile, the 2010 internal calendar in Argentina is set up. It will begin with the Cross-border tournament in February and end up with the National Provincial Sevens Championship in December. The schedule includes the National Provincial Championship in March, the regional tournaments in the middle of the year and the National Clubs' Championship in November.

“During 2010 we are going to work on the 2011 calendar, trying to change it or keep it as it is if the calendar goes well,” stated Castillo.

One of the biggest sporting challenges in his administration this year will be Argentina's performance in its own U20 championship.

“I hope our U20 national team gets the best possible results, improving on what happened in Japan [Argentina ended up 11th among 16 teams in 2009]. We will certainly improve,” said Castillo, who believes that the Rugby World Cup will one day come to Argentina even if he is not set to be the man to bring it there.

“Although it will not be in my administration, I dream that Argentina will organise the World Cup someday. That would be the dream of dreams. It is quite difficult,” Castillo concluded.

By Hernan Alvarez