“Armia” Tbilisi under coaching of Nikoloz Chavchavadze won Georgian championship, Cup of Georgia and Sevens championship in 2011. “Armia” was founded in February last year. But in fact Chavchavadze created the club in summer again, when they added 13 rugby players.
In spite of such achievements Chavchavadze is going to stop and his goal is to return three Georgian rugby players, who play in low divisions of France, in homeland. The names of these following players will be told later. Besides this plan, Niko wants his team to compete at European arena, which will play big role in developing Georgian rugby. Request is already sent and supposedly answer will come at the end of January.
This specialist started coaching career in “Kochebi” Tbilisi, he was there as player-coach. At the same time, he was successfully training Georgian A team with Levan Maisashvili. He even was head coach of national team in two matches. In spite of New Year days, Chavchavadze had negotiations with desirable players and gave interview to “World Sport”, where he talked about previous year and future plans.
- What kind of feeling has head coach of such team, which won all the tournaments where it participated during the year?
- It is a dream of all coach. I am happy that I train such great team as “Armia” is. I have never worked with such unified, determined and thinker team. I would like to thank guys, who supported me very much, shared our goals and managed to won championship, cup and sevens tournament.
- What was the decisive factor for “Armia” in managing to do its best?
- First of all I would like to mention that even one year has not passed since after establishment of this club and during the season, it was changed twice in fact. We started playing with another staff and during summer period, almost whole staff was changed. It is very difficult to instruct team with playing tactic in 10-20 days. Bringing result after training needs time. Unity brought us success. Whole team was working on reaching our goal. We also wanted to show spectacular and dynamic playing for our fans. We were paying much attention to physical durability.
- Which was more important for “Armia” – championship or cup?
- Winning championship and Cup was our goal. Winning Sevens tournament was added later. We did not play the second stage of Sevens tournament. Our points were enough for going through the final stage, that’s why our players rested and had meeting.
- Who surprised you as head coach of “Armia”?
- All the young players who were not expected to compete in Supreme League this year. Those are the following: Khvicha Bujiashvili, Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, Giga Gagoshvili, Beka Bitsadze… these little guys did their best to study as much as it was possible from their experienced teammates. If we had difficulties we used to talk, discuss everything together and then we used to continue training process. The same can be said about Giorgi Kalmakhelidze and Giorgi Shkinini, who were forgotten, but they surprised whole rugby society with their spectacular playing. I can name many players, but these following young rugby players managed to surprise me.
- Most of the players who played for “Armia” were in “Kochebi” with you. Whom do you consider as your grown-up player?
- First of all it is Jaba Bregvadze. He was 9-year-old, when I started working as coach and since that time we are together. As I was growing as coach, he was growing as player. Giorgi Kalmakhelidze also must be mentioned, he started playing in “Khuligana” with Mamuka Tkeshelashvili, before it he went for basketball and when he joined my club he was 15-16 years old.
- In the middle of the season you added so many players that in fact you created new team..
- After transfers, we had two-week meeting in Borjomi. It was very difficult, because we had to pay attention to physical preparation as well as tactic. All of us were mobilized. At the beginning we had difficulties to show our possibilities, but in final stage we managed to do it.
- In summer you added experienced players, but in spite of it young players used to play.
- Many rugby players injured. There were micro-traumas and we were trying to save them for play-off. Beso Udesiani was injured and that’s why let him to rest. Tavartkiladze was suffering from shoulder’s pain, Shkinini from heel’s pain, Jaba Bregvadze injured while playing against England. Now he is having rehabilitation.
- In fact, young players changed experienced rugby players very well.
- Maybe, they cannot play as experienced players do, but these guys surprised me with their professional attitude. Very strong rugby players are growing up for national team.
- You mentioned national team, several rugby players from your club who had to compete at U-19 European championship, were not called up for Georgian national U-19 team.
- We met authority of national team. Seven rugby players from “Armia” had to play for Georgian national U-19 team. Then we reached agreement that some of them will play for national team and some of them for “Armia”. We sent them Zaza Navrozashvili and Beka mamrikishvili. We offered them several variants, wanted to change calendar and in such case we would let all the seven players to play for national team, but they refused. After that we agreed that some of them will play for “Armia” and some of them for national team.
- “Armia” is newly created team and achieved big success. Do you have guarantee that this club will not disband?
- We achieved such important and big success, that this club has to continue existence. There are negotiations with the authority of the club to create two age teams. So, I hope that the club will not stop existence.
- “Armia’ returned several legionaries to their homeland. Whom are you going to return to Georgia?
- At this time we have negotiations with three rugby players, but I do not want to name them now. Soon everything will be found out and this information will become public.
- Shkinin is in France, Bidzina Samkharadze in England..
- Tavartkiladze in Switzerland, but no one leaves our team. Now is vacation time and they are having just holidays there.
- Will “Armia” play at “Challenge Cup”?
- I do not know yet. We strengthen our team and want to play at this tournament very much.
- Only wish is not enough.. have you done anything for it?
- I do not know, Rugby Union has sent our request.
- What would you like to say rugby fans for New Year?
- Happy New Year everyone and whole Georgia. Wish you unity. We will do our best to show more spectacular rugby in the future.
Zura Ksovreli
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