Eigteen year old Kuba Kaminski dreams of the day he might play Super Rugby. His first preference would be to play for New Zealand’s Highlanders, that would be the ultimate opportunity as he might be granted the chance to represent Poland in a World Cup Tournament.
Being from Poland Kaminski readily admits that he still has a lot to learn before he can lay claim to being a good rugby player. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that he jumped at the chance when Blikkies Groenewald (Poland’s rugby Head Coach) suggested that he should join the Blue Bulls TuksRugby Academy. For Kaminski it is the first step to realizing his goal.
Chris Buitendach (Head Coach at TuksRugby) believes the Academy really helps young players to bridge the gap from junior to senior rugby as they get skilled in all the finer aspects of the game. Every coach at the Academy has set himself the goal to drill the players in the various techniques until they understand what they’re doing and why they are doing it.
“There is no aspect of rugby that we don’t touch on during the yearlong practical curriculum,” explains Buitendach.
Kaminski admits to having a better understanding of what rugby is about.
“The one thing I have noticed about South African players is their versatility. Polish players sometimes tend to be one dimensional. For example, a player can be very good at tackling but he might battle to pass the ball properly when his team is on the attack.”
If one delves a little into Polands sport’s history you will find that rugby was first introduced into the country in the 1920s by a Frenchman named Louis Amblard, only for the Second World War to stunt its development.
Poland’s first international encounter was against East Germany in 1958. They won 9-8.
One of the challenges that rugby in Poland faces is the image of the sport. There is a perception that the sport is played by aggressive people and that players are at risk of sustaining serious injuries.
It should come at no surprise that football is the most popular sport in Poland followed by volleyball, speedway, handball and basketball. Even American Football is said to be more popular than rugby. Apparently parents don’t mind signing kids up for contact sports such as karate and Kung Fu, but are reluctant when it comes to rugby.
Kaminski got introduced to the sport by his father’s friend.
“Like most people in my country I tried playing football because it’s quite popular. I played for about two years and I also competed in a few other sports. But from the first moment I played rugby I knew it was going to be the sport that I would compete in. “What I love about rugby is running with the ball and getting to tackle and kick the ball. Rugby is such a well-rounded game.”
Kaminski has already started making a name for himself in Polish rugby having represented the country’s under-16 and under-18 national teams. He plays outside centre. When asked what he thinks a good centre should do his response was that a solid defence is a must.
“I see my role as centre also to be a playmaker. You got to have the ability to spot the gap in the opposition’s defence and go for it. If I can outsmart the opposition and send the wing away for a try I have done my job.”
Because he is huge fan of New Zealand rugby it stands to reason that he would see Malakai Fekitoa (All Black and Highlanders centre) as a role model.
According to Kaminski seven’s rugby is at the moment more popular in Poland.
“I think it is because the duration of a game is only 14 minutes and there is something happening all the time. I played sevens but I prefer the longer format of the game. Sevens rugby is definitely going to play a role in popularizing rugby in Europe especially since it is now an Olympic sport.”
As to the proud South African rugby tradition, sunshine and “braai” Kaminski admits to experience all of it.
“I have been to two ‘braais’ already and it is nice. What I like about it is the ‘boerewors.’
“As to the heat that was sort of a rude awakening. When I left Poland it was minus 22 degrees Celsius. I think at first practise at the Academy it was 30 degrees Celsius. Needless to say I suffered quite a bit because it was a fitness training session.”
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