INTERVIEW WITH ADRIEN FRIGOLA

Continuing with the interview series with the national team coaches of Spain Rugby League, today is the turn of Adrien Frigola, assistant coach of the Spanish national team.

“El Frances”, the nickname given to him by his Spanish friends, is 29 years old and French with Spanish origins. He is a former player of Toulouse Olympique XIII in France and Torrente Tigres in Spain, and he is currently the Manager of the Valencia Hurricanes.

What do you like most about Rugby league?

The intensity without a doubt. The game never stops, and the spectacle surpasses all the sports I know.

How did you come to be involved in Spanish Rugby League?

I was working in Huelva as the director of a blueberry farm when I met Aitor Davila, the former president of Spain Rugby League, who invited me to Valencia to play with the Torrente Tigres. I then contacted Dean Buchan, the current CEO of Valencia Huracanes, and he put faith in me, offering me the opportunity to train the team. Now I have the honour of also being part of the staff of the Spanish national team.

What future do you see for the Spanish Rugby League?

In my opinion, the Rugby League in Spain is at a key moment of development. Rugby league has been in Spain since 2013 thanks to Aitor Davila, but Dean Buchan is in the process of taking the sport to a higher level. His ambitions are high, and with the creation of Los Huracanes and the 600 spectators who attended the first game of the club, it’s clear that people are interested in the sport and our mission is to give them results and opportunities to get involved at any level. With the support of Tony Palacio and Fernando Vidal at the federation level, Rugby League in Spain is in very good hands and the future at the national and international level looks very exciting.

What message would you like to give fans of Spanish rugby league?

I would like to say to the fans of Rugby League in Spain that 2021 will probably be the best year in the history of Rugby League in Spain and that the years to come will be even better. We understand the frustration that may have been felt in recent years, but I want you to know that great moments are coming and that now more than ever it is time to get involved in the sport at any level!