Australian coach John Mulvihill has been signed by Raptors Oranenburg

Oranenburg. Australia’s best coach John Mulvihill has made a long-term commitment to Oranenburg-based Raptors Rugby Club. According to their own statements, those in charge were able to reach “a mega deal” which was the result of “months of hard work and negotiations”. Mulvihill will serve as the Raptors’ athletic director. According to a statement from the county town club, the new coach believed in the concept and ambitious targets.

Coaches in Australia, Ireland and Japan

John Mulvihill spent most of his playing career as a number 10 (connector) in Brisbane. From there he went on to become head coach at Navan RFC in Ireland from 1998 to 2003. He then returned to Australia to take up coaching positions with the Gold Coast Breakers, Queensland Reds (Super Rugby) and in 2005 as assistant coach the Western Force (Super Rugby).

Later the Australian was also attracted to Japan. He coached Mitsubishi Dynaboars, Kinetsu Liners and Honda Heat in the Japanese top league from 2009 to 2018. His journey in 2018 took him to Europe where he became the head coach of Cardiff Blues, a top European club that played in the United Rugby Championship and won the European Cup twice (2010 and 2018). In 2021, the 57-year-old spent a season in Russia with CSKA Moscow. Mulvihill coached the Barbarians, a rugby world team, six times. Now he was drawn to Oberhavel.

Programs are being sought in schools

“Given rugby’s recent involvement with developing countries, I am very pleased to have this opportunity to focus on real development,” the new Oranienburg Rugby Club sporting director said in a statement. Because training is only one focus of his work, it has a strong focus on programs in schools.

The Australian wants to start work in Oranenburg in mid-July. He will then oversee rugby holiday camps, plans to incorporate rugby into schools across the state and also set up a regional league team, the club said. “I’m very much looking forward to getting started and spreading the word about rugby.”

MAZ