The coach of the rugby team "Strela-Ak Bars" spoke about a shocking experience in Russia.

      The head coach of "Strela-Ak Bars," JayPee Neil, shared his first impressions upon arriving in Russia, as well as about a possible resignation after failing to win trophies in the early seasons with the Kazan team. "The first experience was shocking (smiles). In the first years, my coaching staff and I had to work very hard. It took us quite a long time to form the team. At the same time, I was confident that a high-level rugby club could exist in Kazan. The club was replenished with new players, management members, and coaching staff. Thus, we gradually grew together. Huge thanks to the President of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, and the president of the "Strela-Ak Bars" club, Alexey Pesoshin (Prime Minister of RT, - note from "TI-Sport") for their support and trust. There were times when our coaching staff could have been dismissed due to a lack of results: we lost matches for third place for two consecutive years. Later, we managed to transform that trust, and the team grew to the results we have today," JayPee Neil said in an exclusive interview with "TI-Sport."

      In the 2025 season, RC "Strela-Ak Bars" became the holder of three titles: the Russian Championship, the Cup, and the Super Cup of the country. Since the start of the current season, the Tatarstan team lost in the Super Cup of Russia to Moscow's "Dynamo." The regular part of the Russian rugby championship will begin on May 1. "Strela-Ak Bars" will play their debut match on May 9 in Kazan against "Krasny Yar."

      Photo: strelarugby.ru

      More news about the event:

      JayPee Neil: "In the global information field, there is a great misconception about Russia due to Western news." The head coach of the rugby "Strela-Ak Bars," JayPee Neil, stated that he was not afraid to go to Kazan and that there is a significant misconception about Russia in the world due to Western news. 14:46 28.04.2026 IA Tatar-inform - Kazan

      The mentor of the rugby "Strela-Ak Bars" spoke about his shocking experience in Russia. The head coach of "Strela-Ak Bars," JayPee Neil, shared his first impressions upon arriving in Russia, as well as about a possible resignation after failing to win trophies in the early seasons with the Kazan team. 13:47 28.04.2026 IA Tatar-inform - Kazan

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