Date: 21/2/14
Italian Rugby League President, Orazio D’Arro, has paid fulsome tribute to the work done by head coach Carlo Napolitano who has stood down from the national role after leading the Azzurri in their inaugural, successful 2013 Rugby League World Cup campaign.
“Rarely in life do you meet people of the calibre of Carlo Napolitano,” said D’Arro. “From 2008 he has dedicated a large portion of his life to the development of rugby league in Italy, often without due reward.”
“During this period Carlo has made a major contribution to the on-field success but most importantly he has provided support and contribution to the establishment of the constitution and operational structures of F.I.R.L.”
“The passion and pride he showed as a player from 2000 echoed throughout his contributions. It is with mixed emotions that I accept his resignation. Carlo will be hard to replace but I cannot deny him the opportunity to move forward with his life.”
D’Arro added, “Carlo is a part of the F.I.R.L family and will always will be welcome, his contributions are part of Italian rugby league history and I am sure that he will have major success with his business ventures and in life.”
“As this chapter closes in F.I.R.L’s history I look forward with great excitement and anticipation to the F.I.R.L Board making new appointments of the coaching and development team which will have a major focus on developing the Italian championship and growing and improving the quality of local players, as we build towards the 2017 World Cup.”
“It has been a huge honour to have worked with a great man such as Carlo Napolitano. Grazie Carlo e Tanti Saluti.”
As a result of Napolitano’s departure, F.I.R.L. are restructuring their technical staff and are looking to fill a number of positions including that of a Technical Director who will be responsible for managing and supervising all Italian representative teams and provide leadership, advice and direct support to the F.I.R.L. coaching staff and management.
They have also advertised the following roles, details of which can be found on their website www.firl.it.
Elite Team Head Coach
Domestic Team Head Coach
Emerging Team Head Coach
Womens Team Head Coach
Under 18 Team Coaches
Under 16 Team Coach
Elite and Domestic Team Assistant Coaches
Applications are to be sent to info@firl.it by 22nd February, 2014.
