IRB.COM - Balance key to rugby's growth in Cyprus

Few players have the honour of captaining their national side on their debut, but Jonathan Pettemerides did just that on the historic occasion of Cyprus’ first ever match against neighbours Greece in Paphos back in March.

The flanker, who plays his rugby with English club London Scottish National League Three South, did not disappoint with a man of the match performance as Cyprus ran out 39-3 winners to win the Independence Cup the nations will now play for every year.

Total Rugby Radio caught up with Pettemerides earlier this week to find out how the forward, who spent a season playing for his hometown club Bath Rugby in 2003, found himself stepping out onto the international stage with Cyprus.

“I got the call before the first ever game between Cyprus and Greece back in March,” Pettemerides. “It came a little bit unexpectedly. At first it was just an invitation to come and train with the guys in Cyprus who had been preparing on the island and working hard out there.

“One thing led to another and about a week before the first game I was offered the captaincy, which is obviously a huge honour and I was absolutely delighted not only to play but to lead the side in the first ever game.”

Development the priority

Pettemerides, who qualifies for Cyprus through his grandfather, was not the only overseas player to receive such a call with others flying in from to join the home-based players in the camp as news of the national team plans spread by word of mouth.

However for Pettemerides the make-up of the national team must have the right balance to ensure that the sport continues to develop on the island and ensure the future of the Cypriot national team in the years to come.

“I would never turn down the opportunity to play for my country, likewise quite a few of the guys have flown in from South Africa, England and even Scotland. We have all got a reasonable rugby pedigree and hopefully that encourages the home-based players to grow the sport on the island itself – which is the most important thing.

“The website – www.cyprus-rugby.com – has attracted numerous enquiries from different players around the world and it is up to the full-time coaching panel and technical director Niall Doherty to analyse and chose the players he wants to be part of the squad.

“I don’t think it comes down to just ability, but what you are going to offer the team and also getting the balance right between the overseas players and home-based players is absolutely crucial because we are trying to encourage the sport on the island, not repress it.”

No pain, no gain

The fact that Cyprus hosted and won the European Nations Cup Division 3D tournament in two venues – Paphos and Nicosia – from 28 October to 3 November can only have helped in raising awareness of the sport.

Pettemerides captained Cyprus in their opening match against Azerbaijan, but while the hosts ran out 29-0 winners before a crowd of more than 1,000 at the Paphiakos Stadium, the flanker saw his tournament ended after rupturing his cruciate ligament.

“We did win the tournament [they also beat Monaco 19-10 and Slovakia 38-8] which is the main thing and a fantastic achievement, but I’ve ruptured my cruciate ACL ligament in my knee and I will be going for reconstructive surgery on Saturday.

“It was absolutely [worth the pain], it is not about one player, certainly not and the boys did fantastically well to pick up the pieces during the week and go on and record subsequent victories and against Slovakia they were most impressive.”

http://www.irb.com/newsmedia/regional/newsid=2021189.html#balance+rugbys+growth+cyprus

Sunday Mail 29.11.09 - Visit to Cyprus of World Cup winning coach Jake White

If the Cyprus Football Association, brought Sir Alex Ferguson to the island you would get killed in the rush for tickets to meet him. On Saturday, the Cyprus Rugby Federation, courtesy of former president, Costas Mastoroudes, welcomed to Paphos, Jake White, the coach of the World Cup winning South African Team and the rugby supporters were no less enthusiastic than their football colleagues. The Rugby World Cup is an event that is the third most watched sporting competition in the world, attracting nearly 3 billion viewers; White is regarded as the best coach in the world, and for him to visit these shores is an outstanding triumph for the undefeated Cyprus National side.

The Cyprus Rugby Federation centred their event on the Aloe Hotel that could only have taken place with the sponsorship of Ocean Basket and Mobee Payments where hundreds of supporters rallied to meet White who gave the key-note speech and entertained the audience with anecdotes and reflections on rugby played at the highest level. The proceedings started with Vice President Johny Stavrinou welcoming the guests, and magnificent a professional made video presentation was shown on the history of Cyprus rugby and its achievements in their 3 short years of existence.President of the Cyprus Federation, Loukis Pattihis, was then asked to speak and stated ‘ Whoever could imagine, that after only three years in the European Rugby Federation, we, the smallest country in our division, would emerge undefeated, and challenging countries like Bulgaria, Israel, Finland and Greece, who incidentally we destroyed by 38 points to 3, in our first international game, for promotion into their league in Europe, would be entertaining the most successful coach in the history of rugby. Jake White took a despairing rugby nation, who had even been beaten that year by England, to gaining the World Cup in 2007. He resigned at the height of his career, and now heads a company that specializes in training international coaches and corporations in aspects of leadership and motivation, but I am sure he will be back on the rugby world stage when he is ready. I wish to pay tribute to all our players and coaching staff, so ably led by our national coach, Paul Shanks, and all those that have supported us through our development, most particularly, his Excellency, the Ambassador for Ireland, Thomas Brady and his wife, who have never failed to attend our home games; the broadcaster, LTV for recording all our home matches and promoting rugby in their sports programmes, Rosie Charalambous John Leonidou and those few journalists that have given us the exposure we so desperately need in this soccer mad country. Cyprus has never had a more victorious international side than us and perhaps one day they will recognize it.’ Pattihis went on to praise Vice President Johny Stavrinou, who organized the whole evening to the highest professional standards and who also arranged for a magnificent video presentation on the history of Cyprus Rugby and its achievements. Tony Thoma, captain of the National Team, spoke on behalf of the players and gave an account of how rugby was started in Cyprus by South African born Cypriots who were desperate to play the game they loved.

The evening then proceeded with Jake White entertaining the guests with his reflections on the World Cup and so many anecdotes arising from his years as national coach. He had donated a number of copies of his best selling autobiography which were raffled on the evening, then spent time signing copies for the lucky winners and also autographing the specially labelled presentation bottles of wine commemorating the event donated by Lambouri Wineries.

Cyprus International Rugby team are the divisional leaders in European Division 3D, there are over 40 teams in the European leagues. Cyprus federation was admitted in 2006 making them one of the most junior members, and draws on a pool of players from a population of less than 800,000, most of whom are totally unaware of the existence of their national team, but with the advent of rugby being admitted to the Olympic Games and already present in the Commonwealth Games, attitudes may change. Though The national side is supported by KOA, the government sporting association, the funding is not enough which results in the players and executives paying their own way to away games that involves travelling to such exotic places as Azerbaijan, Slovakia, Bosnia and Monaco; each summer the team travels to European capitals to partake in Rugby Sevens competitions; this is the fast furious short-form of the game, which will feature in the Olympics and as result of the team’s sevens endeavours, they are now ranked 12th in Europe, which interestingly is 13 places above Greece. President of the Cyprus Federation, Loukis Pattihis, said ''In view of our current rankings in Europe, The Cyprus Rugby federation has applied to the European Rugby federation to host one of the European Sevens qualifying rounds,'' Pattihis said, '' and we are happy that KOA,the Cyprus Sports Organization is making a sizeable financial contribution in support of our application.'' Pattihis went on to say,''our application also has the support of the Cyprus Olympic committee, which has just recently accepted us as members''.

It is tragic that such a successful side receives so little support from the government compared to what is given to football, particularly when one considers that the football clubs, which are mainly private limited companies, are given millions of euros of taxpayers money, which is mostly spent on buying overseas players well past their sale-by date. Jake White, paid tribute to the Cyprus Federation, claiming that they epitomized all that was best in the world of rugby; a small nation, that through the efforts of a dedicated group of Cypriots, that had grown to love the game, and brought it to the island after years of playing in foreign countries, to establish rugby in their home union. He stated ‘ I think your country represents all that is best in rugby’
 

What the papers say - Rugby World - Email the Editor

Dear Sir,

Once again little Cyprus, population 800,000, the most junior member of the European League, has topped its division, being unbeaten in all internationals, having defeated Azerbaijan, Slovakia, and Monaco for the second year running, and then overcoming relegated Bosnia away, on the last Saturday of the season.

An aspect of the game that will not have confronted the northern hemisphere teams is the desperate disparity in climate; the temperature rarely drops below 20% in Cyprus, so, to be confronted with a game set in 1% Celsius was not a happy prospect for the Cypriots, especially as
Bosnia had been covered in snow for three days before the game, making practice impossible. Nevertheless; Cyprus won 8-6 and now go on the European Sevens in Athens in May where they will benefit from being drawn in the same section as France and Italy. Last year in Tbilisi and Corfu they beat mighty Georgia and Bulgaria, and drew with Italy, so they won't be too intimidated.

Very little has changed in terms of government support for the Cypriots, they are still paying their own expenses to away games and are proud to do so, to represent their country, even though their country seems to care little for them. The Cyprus government lavishes millions of taxpayers money on the pathetic foreign player fuelled soccer clubs, but hardly recognises the most successful international team they have ever produced. Internationals played: 9; won 8; lost 1. Any sponsors out there?

What the papers say - Cyprus Mail 24/3/09

On the same day that Ireland defeated Wales to achieve the 'Grand Slam' for the first time in sixty years, and England retained the Calcutta Cup against Scotland, the pride of Cyprus beat the mighty Bosnians by 8-6 on their home turf in a temperature of minus 2c at their new national stadium.

The self-financed Mouflons made the usual tour of Europe before arriving at their destination only to discover that the transport sent to convey them to the hotel had broken down, that the training sessions had to be cancelled because the country was blanketed in snow, there was a snow storm in progress, and the game was in doubt because the pitch was covered in snow, and they were very, very, cold.

The sun-kissed Cypriots had never faced such conditions and to make matters worse, they were due to play the most feared side in the division, albeit they were ahead on points difference; the Bosnians who were relegated last season, were similarly undefeated in their previous league games and had a serious point to make; they wanted promotion. Their reputation was one of rugged play, robust forwards, and highly mobile backs; furthermore, they had defeated Israel, the only team to beat the Cypriots.

On the day of the game the storm ceased and the Bosnian officials managed to clear the snow: game on. The Mouflons realised that the only way to overcome the climatic conditions was to engage in some furious play and the backrow of Thoma, Pugh and McFarlane invaded the Bosnian half and refused to let up until a penalty was awarded following a blood injury on the winger Zacharia, unfortunately, the usually reliable Holden found the atrocious conditions not conducive to goal kicking, but the front five for Cyprus began to dominate and they gained more territory but without reward. The Bosnians didn't visit the Cyprus half for a full twenty minutes. Half-time; no score.

From the restart the opposition engaged in an arial bombardment of the Cypriot back three, but Paul Shanks the national coach had done his homework and his men were well rehearsed in this stage of the game and used it to their advantage so the game once again swung in favour of the Mouflons. However, a break-down in discipline gave the Bosnians two penalty opportunities which they converted to lead by six points. This lead was halved by Holden a few minutes later and Cyprus pressed the Bosnians back into their half with some powerful set-piece play that led to some brilliant handling moves culminating in the safe hands of the ever present Chris Thoma grounding the ball in the Bosnian goal area for a well deserved five points. There was no conversion, but the Bosnians were held in their half for the rest of the game without hope of recovery.

Full-time Bosnia 6-Cyprus 8.

The Mouflons are once again undefeated in the league and have amassed over a hundred points against the opposition; they now proceed to the European Cup Seven a side competition to be held in Athens and Split in May and have to meet such potent opposition as France, Italy and Georgia, but what a great opportunity for the young men of Cyprus to prove their mettle.

Alexander McCowan.
 

What the papers say - Cyprus Mail 17/3/09

On a brilliant day, on a perfect pitch, at the British Military ground at Episkopi, ,in front of a substantial crowd of knowledgeable supporters, Cyprus took on the mighty Slovakians (Pop. 5.5 million) and trounced them 33-7. This result takes Cyprus to the top of their division on points difference, being undefeated this season, with only the Bosnians to beat in the final game of this season.

Paul Shanks, the national coach, brought a very well prepared team to the field and after a faltering start the national side went on to pile up a reservoir of points that left the Slovaks floundering.

Loukis Pattihis, the Cyprus Federation president said’ This, is without fear of contradiction, the most successful international team ever produced by Cyprus and it is truly remarkable, when considering our parlous financial position. I am so proud of these young men who give up so much to play for their country, they pay their own traveling expenses, sacrificing work time, and recognized more in Europe than they are here: last year, following our performance in the European Nations Sevens Cup, the coach of Wales, the eventual winners, and the Six Nations Champions, made a special point of congratulating the young players of Cyprus on their standard of play’.

This was the first game that Cyprus played under the sponsorship of SportsDirect. Com, a major sports equipment supplier, now based on the island and the European agents for ‘Umbro’, ‘Addidas’ and 'Nike'; interestingly, the company is owned by Mike Ashley, the chairman of Newcastle United F.C.

After the early fright by Slovakia the national side settled down to run in tries by Kyle Oelofse, who was responsible for preventing the Slovaks from scoring again with a bone-crunching tackle just short of the Cypriot goal line; unfortunately he suffered a broken foot and may miss the next game. Zacharia scored our next try under the posts and the very reliable Marcus Holden had no trouble in converting. Ten minutes later, following terrific pressure from the well organized Cyprus pack, there was a turnover resulting in gorgeous George Agathocleous powering through to score under the post, once again converted by Holden. Half-time; Cyprus 27-slovakia 7.

Second half; Cyprus slowed a little but managed to run in two tries, both from the elusive Luke Peters, the second coming from a perfectly weighted pass from the Bective Rangers flying centre, Colm O’Cleirigh.

There was tremendous support for Cyprus from the Diplomatic Corp, the Ambassadors of Ireland and Belgium, and the High Commissioner for Australia, all stalwart supporters of the game, which was in such contrast to our own government’s feeble effort; not a single member of the Cyprus Sports Authority, or any member of the administration could find time to support their national team; perhaps they think rugby players don’t vote.

Loukis Pattihis, paid tribute to the British Military, and particularly Colonel Pickford and his staff who made the event possible, when he was interviewed post-match by LTV’s Akis Sarcorophou. The match was also covered by Cyprus Sports T.V. and both companies will be showing the game this week.
 

What the papers say - Cyprus Weekly

I read with interest the article that appeared in the Cyprus Weekly recently featuring Mr Richard Mottershead and his venture of trying to establish a new rugby team on our small island.

Firstly, I would like to appauld him for his efforts and I wish him all the best with this enterprise. However, I would respectfully suggest that the article did more to undermine the development of the game as a whole than it maybe had intended to do.

His opening statement of other teams emulating what he (his team) do - a bold statement for a team that doesn't actually exist, and in fact one that is sure to "get the backs up" of the well organised and successful clubs that already exist on the island. They seem to be managing pretty well as it goes. Results speak for themselves, if we are concentrating on the civilian clubs only, due to the transitory nature of the Service teams both Paphos and Limassol provide their fair share of players to the National Team - one that currently heads up the European Nations Cup Division 3D having won a total of 8 out of 9 games since its birth only 2 years ago. Additionally, they regularly compete in both the league and cup competition, as well as developing the game with junior sections providing the players of the future - all without actually going outside the country. Frankly this small debate could rage on for a lot longer but I'm afraid one simple statement at the end of the article caused certain damage that will take a long time to rectify.

To state that "rugby is a violent game" would have one action and one action alone - put off any persective recruit to this fledgling sport, whether as a young novice or somebody who wanted to experiment with the game. Yes, injuries do occur, as they do in most contact sports but to make such a general statement is frankly ill-advised and will do nothing to attract "local" players to the game or to raise the profile of such an exciting sport. It gives those with little experience of the game, a totally false impression and will amost certainly put off those uninitiated to the game.

To balance his statement I would like to state the following in an attempt to put forward a realistic view for those we are trying to attract: Rugby is a hard physical contact sport - where violence is actively and totally discouraged at all levels of playing, coaching and administration. A code of conduct (formal or otherwise) is the norm at most clubs. The ethos and respect within the game is second to none and certainly outweighs any of the child like behaviour encountered on the football field. Moreover, spectators and supporters of the game have a mutual respect for each other, where harmless banter can be enjoyed by all, rather than the poor behaviour displayed by the hooligan elements we frequently see on the football terraces around the world. Any training is undertaken by dedicated and experienced coaches who love the game and wish to see it develop to its full potential.

Without being patronising, I'm sure that Mr Motterhead means well but perhaps his choice of words could have been better selected when the game on the Island is still in its infancy.

What the papers say; Cyprus Mail August 1st 2008

When Cyprus was confirmed as the only undefeated rugby playing nation in the world it was assumed that every Cypriot bank and influential company would climb on board to share in their international glory.

Well it made sense; lets face it where else would we achieve recognition on the world circuit, after all we are only a nation of 800,000, which is about the same size as a provincial town in Europe, and therefore not expected to lift our nose above pavement level, and certainly not to ruffle the feathers of the European rugby nations, who, after all, participate in major competitions like the World Cup; Cyprus: where’s that.

As we well know, there are only two sports on our island, soccer and basketball; these are performed by imported has-beens that cannot find employment in their home countries and freakish giants that have failed to make any impression on the own market. But in Cyprus , where we slavishly pursue our Hellenic brethren, into whichever cul-de-sac they may venture, regardless of our capacity to sustain ourselves, we will follow.

How interesting, that for the first time in our history we can stand alone against Greece . When we were challenged by Greece , that turned out fully emblazoned in their Bank of Greece logos, and Cyprus appeared in tee-shirts borrowed from a local taverna, to play against them in the Independence Cup, wasn’t it extraordinary that their lowly cousin would completely destroy them-39-3.

Following this, Cyprus went on to beat every team in their European division until they were confronted with the prospect of promotion to the league above them that meant playing against the bottom team Israel to replace them in the next division which opens up the possibility of playing in the World Cup watched by a television audience of 300 million world wide; but would this interest anyone in Cyprus, when they can watch the delightful skills of our local soccer teams that wouldn’t merit a place in Sunday leagues on Hackney Marshes. Certainly not.

Millions of euros of taxpayers money are given every year to the share-holders of our major soccer clubs to be dissipated on the salaries of non-entities that never had the ability to lace up the boots of Nobby Stiles or Bobby Moore, but the executive of KOA, the governing body that dispenses public money to our sporting federations, thinks that this is money well spent as it keeps their political masters happy. Shame on them.

If Cyprus, a completely amateur side, whose overseas players pay their own way for the honour of representing their country, cannot source the expenses for their transport and accommodation to Israel , they are destined to be locked in the lower divisions without any chance of progressing. Greece provides over 300,000 euros a year plus expenses for their rugby team, and some of the sides that Cyprus beat in the European division of the World Cup Sevens, such as Georgia and Bulgaria ( and don’t forget they drew with Italy ), are fully professional teams, which means that the Cypriots are totally disadvantaged.

The play-off against Israel is due in September, but if we don’t challenge them, they stay in that division and have access to World Cup rugby, whilst we languish in the bottom league with Azerbaijan , Monaco and Slovakia , teams we have already beaten.

The president of the Cyprus Rugby Federation, the enormously committed, Loukis Pattihis, has made numerous phone calls and sent three emails to the Chairman of KOA in the last three weeks, in a desperate attempt to secure finances for the trip, but they haven’t even had the decency to reply.

We know that emerging sports take time to penetrate the institutional psyche, and one only has to look at the treatment of Marcos Bagdadis to comprehend my meaning, but the tavlis players that make up the board of KOA really need to open their tiny minds to discover that there is more than football out there. Can they be aware that the Olympic Committee has asked the Cyprus Rugby Federation to host a rugby competition during the Small Nations Games next year? I seriously doubt it.

Wake up KOA, before you become a laughing stock.

What the papers say; Cyprus Mail Saturday 19th April 2008

RUGBY UPDATE 2008.

Following the 2007 success of the Cyprus International Rugby Team when they defeated all opposition and still remain the only undefeated side in International Rugby, the country now enters the uncertainty of performing on the European stage with a minimum of financial support from the government, being awarded only 11,000 euros to fund all international competitions. As a result of this, their activities will be severely curtailed unless they are able to find a major sponsor; the Cyprus Rugby Federation, whilst accepting the allocation of funds from KOA (Cyprus Sports Organisation), believe they merit a greater contribution, but in a country that is in thrall to soccer, no matter how poorly performed, it seems inevitable.

In an effort to improve their finances, Loukis Pattihis, Vice-President, has evolved a scheme which he believes will improve the fortunes of the national side and allow them to compete on more equal terms with the opposition. He has introduced The Friends of Cyprus Rugby, whereby, for a modest contribution of 1000 euros, an individual or organization, can become an essential part of Cyprus Rugby development. All donors will receive four free tickets to all internationals, inclusion on the web-site, reductions in company advertising, attendance at celebration dinners, and, access to, and photo opportunities, with our international players.

In June, Cyprus are scheduled to participate in the European division of the Rugby World Cup Seven’s Competition, to be held in Corfu . This is rugby on speed; it involves teams of seven players, competing for fourteen minutes with a minute break in between, with scrums of three players and four backs. All involved are selected for their speed and ability to defend. According to those European officials, that have witnessed our national side in performance, Cyprus is considered the ‘dark horse’ of the competition.

This is a major European sporting event and will attract a large television audience. Cyprus will be competing with the very best European sides, including England , France , Ireland , Scotland , Italy and all other European rugby playing nations. Due to lack of funding Cyprus has had to withdraw from two major international events this year, but all can be redeemed, if we can provide our players with sufficient funding to perform at their very best.

The senior European sides are all professionals and supported by their home unions to the tune of millions, even Greece give their national side, 300, 000 euros annually. Our overseas players pay all their own expenses for the honour of playing for our country.

Next year, Cyprus will play host to the Small Nations Games, which will include Rugby Seven’s, a game that many countries want included in the Olympic Games. What an opportunity for a small investor to exploit. However, what our country needs is for the big companies to get on board, and now is the moment; don’t miss out.

What the papers say; Cyprus Mail Thursday 21st February 2008

Rugby Crisis.

Following the extraordinary success of our national side, unbeaten in all their international matches, the European Rugby Federation invited our junior team to enter the European Championships to be played in Treviso in Italy in March this year, which would have seen our juniors competing against the best young players from England, Wales, Ireland and the other European teams.

In normal circumstances this would be a cause for celebration in our sporting circles, however; even though the junior players, drawn from Paphos, Limassol and Nicosia , had each offered to contribute 450 euros towards the expense of the tour they fell 7000 euros short of the total cost. All appeals to Cyprus Sports Organisation have fallen on deaf ears and although the mighty Paphos Tigers Rugby Club had arranged a number of fund raising activities they failed to achieve the total required.

As a consequence, the Cyprus Rugby Federation has informed their parent body, the European Federation; that Cyprus , with great regret, will have to withdraw from the competition. This competition has European wide television coverage and would have given our international juniors an opportunity to play against the best in the world.

In a country where millions are spent on maintaining our miserable mediocre soccer teams, distinguished for little else but violence and anti-social behaviour, it is a tragedy that our most successful international sportsmen are denied a chance to show the world what we are capable of; make no mistake, the future of any sport depends on the emerging young players, and we have denied our rugby youth a magnificent opportunity to excel, because our government would rather give millions to our discredited soccer clubs, than grant a few euros to a sport that is universally celebrated for its standards of sportsmanship.

If you think things could not get much worse in our rugby world, consider this; because of the recalcitrant attitude of K.O.A. and the dismal lack of sponsorship, Cyprus International Federation has had to withdraw from the Independence Cup, an annual competition played against Greece, which Cyprus holds, having beaten Greece 39-3 last year; they cannot afford the cost of traveling to Greece where the competition would be held in March; furthermore, we have had to decline our invitation to appear in the European Rugby Sevens competition, for the same reasons.

Many of you will not be aware that we are the only undefeated rugby playing nation in the world, but I suppose you hadn’t heard of Marcos Baghdadis until he emerged on the world stage. Q.E.D.

Alexander McCowan.

March 2007 - Cyprus Trounce Greece

March 2007 - Cyprus shows Greece Who's boss

March 2007 - Cyprus vs Greece in Yeroskipou (ελληνικά)

March 2007 - Tomorrow's clash - Greece vs Cyprus (ελληνικά)

March 2007 - Cyprus National Rugby Team 39-3 against Greece (ελληνικά)

March 2007 - Historical Day for Cyprus Rugby  (ελληνικά)

September 2007 - Cyprus Wishes World Cup Hosts France Good Luck  (ελληνικά)

October 2007 - Rugby - 3 Games for Cyprus  (ελληνικά)

October 2007 - High Hopes for Cyprus Rugby  (ελληνικά)

October 2007 - Cyprus Clean Sheet against Azerbaijan

November 2007 - Cyprus Overcome Tough Monaco Challenge

November 2007 - Cyprus Defeat Slovakia in Final

October 2008 - Rugby Kicks off with Special Training