LLR- For those who are unaware, what is your name and title
with FMRU and how long have you been involved with rugby in Mexico?
Francisco Echeguren
(FMRU President). I have been working in Rugby for the last 24 years and 3
years as FMRU President.
LLR- How many registered members are there?
FE- More less
4,900 registered and around 2,100 unregistered
LLR- Rugby has never been a hot topic in México but lately
it seems that the sport is growing more and more, why is that, what is
contributing?
FE- An organize leadership from FMRU and the main clubs of
the country giving structure to the competitions and programs for developing
and educating Coaches, Referees, and Administrators. The inclusion of the sport in the national youth games and in the
Olympics circuit. Also the financial support
of IRB and Conade (Mexican Sports Ministry)
LLR- How big of a moment is it in México rugby history with
the M(U) 19 boys XV national team winning NACRA championship.
FE- It’s something that comes natural after the work and
efforts of previous years, a better organize program and the development of a
more structure u19 championship with youth games have been an impact on the
number of players and the quality of them. The results have given validation to
the persons behind them and this will hopefully give a boost in the next
process.
LLR- With acceptance into the IRB rankings what does the
Federation have planned to start climbing and break into the T2 status?
FE- The first will be continue with a structure line of work
that integrates the local with the national competitions with the help of local
sponsors to give a wither exposure to rugby in Mexico. Also to have more
competitions in which the nationals teams are involve, for them to be more
competitive in the international ground. Added with a group of athletes specialize
in the sport, focus in preparing for the national teams with a preparation
since their youth.
LLR- In going back to the youth, the best way to grow a
sport and get better players is to get as many young kids playing, what steps
and is there a plan to get more youth involved in Rugby?
FE- I think the big two factors in this are the inclusion of
rugby inside the National Youth Games with u16, u19 and u23 in males and u19
and u23 in females, and the presences of the program Get Into Rugby
LLR- How about the women’s game, how is the female side of
the game growing, youth and older?
FE- For now female rugby in Mexico have only been developing
in 7’s, the inclusion of two categories in the National Olympics Games to bring
younger players, and the national team been more competitive, wining the
Caribbean Championship and been invited to major tournaments like Hong Kong.
LLR- Another National Team also won a championship this
summer, the men won the Saratoga sevens, how many 7s tournaments does National
teams participate in yearly (men and women) and are there any plans to
participate in the World sevens series stops?
FE- For the male team will be around 9 tournaments and for
the female squad 6. The teams are growing and we will be delight in
participating again in world sevens series, the male team have been in the USA
7’s, and Hong Kong in few occasions, and we will love to see it back along with
the women’s team.LLR- What is a realistic timeline that you wish to achieve to have both men’s and women’s qualify for Rugby world cup xv’s and to have the 7’s National Teams participate in the sevens world series regularly?
FE- The men team will be 9 years for XV’s and years 5 years for 7’s. In women’s we hope it will be around 12 years XV’s and 7 in 7’s.
LLR- There has been great discussion here in the states on the constant and uneven college competition landscape, how is the college competition set up in Mexico?
FE- By the moment it’s in a state of development (been the
competition of 10’s aside) there have been a great grow in the teams involved
(from 4 to 36) in the last years.
LLR- How involved is FMRU in the college competition and
club competition
FE- It’s totally involved by organizing the tournaments and
the development of new teams.
LLR- How does the FMRU get its funding and what is their
annual budget
FE- CONADE, IRB, Sponsors, and self-income.
LLR- NACRA is the regional rugby union governing body, how
has NACRA been successful thus far and what more needs to be done?
FE- NACRA as a strategic leader in the development of rugby
in the region and also by organizing the tournaments that help as platform for
bigger international competitions have been excellent, and also by helping
member of the smaller federation to take IRB courses around the world for their
development have been a great contribution in the local rugby.
LLR- Argentina has done a good job helping fellow nations in
South America develop there rugby scene and give surrounding nations worthy
matches, is there any pressure from fellow NACRA members to get Canada and USA
to play games against other countries in the region, such as your selves
Bahamas and Jamaica?
FE- The USA and Canada send representative teams to the
NACRA 7’S Championship and USA send a regional team for the XV’s competition.
Also they have always host different national teams for their local tournaments
(Serevi 7’s between others), and invite to their courses to help the
development of well-prepared staff inside the unions and federations of the
zone.
LLR- Last few questions focusing on rugby around the world,
do you personally think it is best for rugby to have a global calendar
competition?
FE- It will be the best; unfortunately it’s a hard topic
because of weather, culture, etc.
LLR- Will you your self or others be attending the ALL
Blacks match in Chicago?
FE- I will not be there but some friends from Mexico will.
LLR- How big of a ripple effect could it have with expanding
rugby in Mexico if the USA or Canada where to land the 2023, or 2027 world cup?
FE- It will have a great impact, some people from Mexico are
already making the effort to go to world cups in the past, so having them so
close will certainly will increase the number of Mexicans attending the
competition, and also, If possible for Mexico to host one match will certainly
bring more attention to rugby inside Mexico.
LLR- Last question, recently there was a great piece done on
Chock Lopez in Canada about his experience playing rugby thus far and him going
back to play for the u19 national team for this past NACRA championship, could
we see more players like him going to other countries to gain experience and
same for the men’s national team, is there an effort to get players over sea’s
to participate in higher competition and in return come back and help propel
the NT to higher ranking.
FE- There are some players with experience similar to Chock’s,
some playing in Canada and the USA, and we had one player in New Zealand and
other in France, but it have been more by personal initiative.