Rugby Through The Leagues Podcast · Rugby TTL

Rugby TTL - Series 2 - Episode 30 - Eleni Voultepsis - Rebirth of Greek Rugby

·43 min·4 clips

Eleni Voultepsis coached Greece's first women's 15s team, assembled in just a week for a historic match in Bulgaria.

This episode of Rugby Through the Leagues features an interview with Eleni Voultepsis, a key figure in Greek rugby. She starts by explaining her involvement as head coach for Greece's first women's 15s match, which was assembled in a week against Bulgaria. Eleni describes the historical context, including the federation's challenges after the president's death in 2015 and the subsequent bureaucratic hurdles. She highlights a match in Albania played on a rainy day with a pitch made of cones, emphasizing the team's dedication. The discussion covers Greece's recent acceptance as a member of Rugby Europe, which provides access to seminars and coaching courses. Eleni talks about the first Greek rugby coaching school, requiring player validation through match sheets. She shares anecdotes from a coaching seminar in Romania, where Greek methods were praised. The conversation shifts to kit design, with plans for players to sign shirts from their first Rugby Europe matches. Eleni outlines the long-term vision for Greek rugby, focusing on youth outreach in schools and expanding competitions to cities like Athens, Thessaloniki, and Patra. She mentions the lack of grass fields in Greece and the dominance of football and basketball. The episode also touches on Rugby Europe's support for social media promotion and coaching upskilling. Eleni discusses recent upsets in European rugby, such as Germany beating Romania, and the importance of grassroots development. She reflects on the cultural aspects of rugby, like third-half traditions and fan experiences at matches in Rome. The host and Eleni conclude by emphasizing the journey ahead for Greek rugby and the importance of community and passion in the sport.

As heard by us

A grounded look at Greek rugby built through people, process, and shared learning.

Greek rugby comes through here as a sport built by people who keep turning up, learning the rules, and doing the unglamorous work behind the scenes.

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Why you'd press play

You want the inside story of Greek rugby building itself step by step, from the first women's 15s match in Sofia to the match-day protocols that make it all work.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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