1. Cesare you were one of the Beach 5s pioneer. Could you tell us how everything started?
It was 20 years ago and started out pretty much as a joke amongst a group of rugby teammates who either worked or usually spent the holidays in Lignano Sabbiadoro. The first time out was an historic match featuring the ‘lifeguards’ versus ‘rugby udine’….you could say this was a kind of BIG BANG that sparked a host other BANGS on beaches all around Italy. Then from 2001 we launched Super Beach 5s in the Lignano Beach Arena. With a capacity of 4,000 spectators, the concept was to create a more spectacular platform for this short format style of rugby that would work for both for the players and the fans.
2. Being involved with Beach Rugby for so many years, in your opinion the sports´growth was slower or faster than you expected?
3. EBRA circuit presents 7 legs in 2014. What that means for the growing of the sport?
5. How do you see Beach 5s in the future?
One word only: Olympics ! Whether we’re talking short term or long term, it doesn’t matter. The day will surely come when the IOC and the Olympics will become attracted to the beauty Beach 5s …. 10 minute matches with upwards of 20 tries scored per game…..it has got to be one of the best, most exciting new sporting products that can be offered to both Olympic audiences and worldwide media alike.