Swiss ready for first World Cup bid

How did you become the coach of the Swiss team?

I have been in Switzerland for two  years, l moved from Australia to here with my wife and three kids. I come from a rugby league background, having played and coached professionally in NRL clubs in Sydney and also coaching in the super league in England. After England I spent a number of years on the coaching staff for the Danish rugby union men's national team. I was appointed as an assistant coach to the Swiss women's team on my arrival in 2014, and was appointed as head coach this year.

What were your first impressions of women’s rugby in Switzerland?

I was impressed by the skill level of the players in Swiss women's rugby, and also their passion and commitment. There is a fairly small player base in Swiss rugby, and to be able to create a national team with the skill set, technique and passion was impressive.

I think that we will perform extremely well in Spain, and we will surprise a lot of people. We have a strong squad, and despite a number of experienced players being unavailable for Spain, we have selected a number of new players that are performing extremely well. The team are motivated and have a strong bond, they will dig deep and give it all they have. The police result was very pleasing, and showed that our structures are falling into place, the Germany result doesn't concern me, it highlighted a few areas for us to work on, but the result was more a reflection of it being the first game for the new squad, and an adjustment back to 15s for a lot of the squad coming off the 7s season.

Switzerland is unusual - for a country relatively new to the game - in playing both XVs and 7s – does this come from the players, or the Federation?

The involvement in both 7s & 15s is player driven. The players are very passionate about their rugby, and enjoy both forms. The FSR will continue involvement in both 7s & 15s, we see 15s as being the base of the FSR but over the next few years will have a big drive in 7s. Eventually it would be ideal to have a completely separate 7s and 15s squad.

Our aim for the next few years is to continue our improvement in both 15s & 7s. In 2014 we were placed 4th in the European Championship, last we were 2nd, this year we aim to be 1st. In 7s we would like to move up into the GPS, and hopefully this can be achieved within 2 years. In the 7s trophy series this year, we were placed only behind Scotland and Germany for tries scored, and with continued work and improvement I feel the GPS is achievable. The biggest barriers at the moment to continue our improvement in both forms of rugby would be a small player base and a small number of young players.

This barrier is being addressed through the new development league. The main aims of this is to increase our player base, increase the number of younger players and to expose rugby to a wider population within Switzerland. The development league is extremely important to the continued growth, expansion and success of women's rugby in Switzerland. This year we have created a women's commission, which is led by one of our national squad, Christa Herrmann* I think the support and resources being given to Christa and the new commission by the FSR show how serious the FSR are in becoming power nation in women's rugby. Just as the men's national team have risen to the top RE competition level this year, we want to see the same happen to women's rugby.

How do you see the future for women’s 7s and XVs in central Europe?

I see both 15s & 7s being very important in the growth of women's rugby in Central Europe. I think it is important that unions don't place an emphasis on just 7s, but continue to grow and develop both forms. It was great to see Germany reform their 15s program this year. The biggest issue for small unions will be their player base. However, World Rugby and Rugby Europe are keen to grow women's rugby and as such have a number of structures and programs in place. Both the regional training manager, Daniel, and the Get into Rugby coordinator, Jose, are very supportive of women's rugby and will ensure that it continued to grow in Central Europe. I think it would be great to see player base grow, particularly in the younger ages, and create a large base of qualified coaches in all Central Europe countries.

Can you “introduce” us to some of the main players in the squad for Spain?

It's hard to highlight a few of my players, as they all form an equally important part of the team. However, I will introduce 3 of them:

Sabrina Walti - she has been selected Capt for the first time this year, she is an old school type of captain leading by example in the field. This is bina's 2nd season back after having a baby, and she continues to grow as a player. She is a hard working back rower, who is everywhere in the pitch and will not take a backward step. She is a 15s specialist.

Carole Casparis - Carole is our vice Capt, and has been part of the rugby landscape in Switzerland for a number of years. She is a fast elusive number 15 who reads the game very well. 'Lolli', as she is known is very much the backbone of the team both on and off the pitch. She motivates players and often provides advice and support when players need it. Lolli's performances on the pitch overflow with effort and enthusiasm, she will never leave anything on the field. Lolli is equally important to the national 7s team where she has also been involved for a number of years.

Rahel Bosshard - Rahel lives and breathes rugby, and plays both 7s & 15s for Switzerland. Rahel has moved from the centers to the forwards this year, and she hasn't looked back. She is a strong, hardworking and mobile number 8, who continuously takes the team forward. She is a competitive and aggressive player, who motivates the team through her tireless performances. Watch for Rahel to excel in Spain

*Christa Herrmann has also provided us with more information on the Swiss Development League:

"Eight teams kicked off the new Swiss women's rugby season today in Luzern, playing in a great first ever leg of the new Swiss women's development tournament series! Fantastic attitude shown on and off the pitch. Special shout out to all the rookies who stepped on the pitch in their club's colors for the first time on the first day; as well as to the three new clubs Albaladejo Lausanne, RC Winterthur and RC Zug making their first official appearance on the Swiss women's rugby stage"

Swiss team for Madrid:

Sabrina Walti                        GC Rugby Zurich                    CAPTAIN

Carole Casparis                    RC Luzern                              V. CAPTAIN

Isabella Bauer                      GC Rugby Zurich

Rahel Bosshard                    GC Rugby Zurich

Vanessa Dantas                   RC CERN

Lami Damachi                       RC CERN

Katja Dick                             GC Rugby Zurich

Angela Diener                       RC Luzern

Becky Ellis                             RC CERN

Carole Gachet                       RC Bern

Anita Gander                        GC Rugby Zurich

Christa Herrmann                 Albaladejo RC Luasanne

Eva Hollenstein                     RC Luzern

Natascha Kehrli                     RC Bern

Victoria Laternser                  RFC The Bishops St. Gallen

Sandra Lecci                          Albaladejo RC Luasanne

Patrizia Mancini                      RC Bern

Ramona Mani                         RC Bern

Judith Oriwal                          RC Luzern

Claire Pagnot                        Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France

Leonie Robert                       Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France

Magali Rochaix                       LOU Rugby, France

Fabienne Ullmann                   RC Bern

Amanda Wigfall                      RC CERN