08 Jul 2024

The newly appointed Men’s 15s national team coach, Andrew Paxinos is set to lead the squad in the regional qualifiers for the African Championship penciled for November.

Paxinos ascends to the helm to lead the Men’s 15s team on a two-year contract effective June until June 2026, taking over from Sean Irish, who was appointed temporarily during and post the COVID-19 era.  In an interview, Botswana Rugby Union (BRU) vice president-technical, Elijah Kokoro said competing in the regional qualifying games would enhance the team’s rankings in the rugby Africa calendar. 

Kokoro said Paxinos’ appointment was a positive move by the rugby union owing to his experience and contribution in the development of the sport in Botswana.

“We are extremely excited with Paxinos’ appointment and his credentials speak for themselves and we know his contributions are only going to improve our rugby across the board. 

His appointment is yet another step in the right direction as we endeavour to take this brand into a new era. We wish him well in his new role,” he said.

He added that Paxinos’ knowledge and understanding of the local rugby scene was a boost in advancing the national team’s fortunes. 

“Apart from leading the team in the fight for a qualification spot in the African championships, which will obviously improve our rankings, we are hopeful that Paxinos will assist in nurturing talent given his wealth of knowledge with grassroot development,” Kokoro said.  

He indicated that the Men’s 15s team had remained inactive since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The national Men’s 15s team has been inactive since the COVID-19 due to its low raking status compared to the 7’s team, having played only one friendly game against eSwatini, thus the head coach position has  since been vacant,” he said. 

Kokoro further said the rugby union was enthusiastic about resuscitating youth development structures which would be a feeder the national team and therefore Paxinos was the right candidate for such a project owing to his previous engagements with development teams.  

“The absence of school sports has left a huge gap in our development structures and the union has tasked the new coach to work with local teams and coaches in the development of grassroots talent,” he added.

Meanwhile, Paxinos holds a diploma in sports management, world rugby level three coaching certificate as well as a strength and conditioning certificate. Ends