MADRID, 12 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The coach Pedro de Matías Cid has left his position as women’s national rugby sevens coach, after agreeing to say goodbye “by mutual agreement” with the Spanish Rugby Federation (FER), which is looking for a “new stimulus” to face the “new challenges “of the Spanish team, according to a statement.
“The technical management of the FER and Pedro de Matías have decided by mutual agreement to step aside the coach as the women’s sevens coach. The sports management works with the idea of proposing to the Valencian coach to continue within the working group of the project of the Olympic discipline giving support to the ‘Leonas7s’ and the ‘Leones7s'”, announced the Federation this Wednesday.
De Matías took the reins of the women’s team in September 2017, and in these five and a half years he has participated in 22 World Series, maintaining the status of ‘Core Team’ of the selection. She won a bronze in the 2021 European Championships and has qualified Spain for two World Cups, achieving a hard-fought fifth place in San Francisco 2018.
From the FER they reported that this change at the head of the ‘Leonas7s’ seeks “a new stimulus that allows the group to face the demanding challenges that await at the end of the season”, with a new coach who will be announced “soon”. With De Matías at the forefront, the Leonas secured their permanence for another year in the World Series with two victories in Hong Kong, against Japan (26-17) and the host team (24-5).
“The technical management and the Board of Directors of the FER want to thank Pedro for his work and dedication in front of the team and hope to continue counting on him within the federative structures,” said the federative entity in its statement.
For his part, De Matías thanked the support of “all the workers and colleagues of the FER, the previous president and the new Board for their trust this year.” “Also to all the Federation and club coaches with whom I have dealt over the years seeking common goals of progress, in the most constructive way possible, with respect and empathy,” he added.
“Special mention and thanks to the coaching staff of the women’s project, with whom I have shared many hours of work and personal learning. And, finally, to the players who are the first of the reasons why you dedicate yourself every day as a coach and They have allowed me to live this unique experience with them”, concluded De Matías in his statements.