“I needed to return to give the club everything it gave me as a boy”
(print edition note)
Universitario closed the rugby season with good feelings to start 2023 with greater optimism and expectations. The title in the BC Reclassification of the Pampeano Regional -undefeated in 7 games- was an emotional envoy for the group strengthened weeks later with the obtaining of seven “José Durañona” by Coronel Suárez.
One of the keys was the return to the institution of Sebastián Barrera, a 26-year-old opening player who, after a few seasons in Andorra, rejoined the Pirañas to give it a quality bonus.
in dialogue with “The new one”.the talented white-and-red kicker explained the reasons for his return and took stock of the season.
“Emotionally it was a very positive year. We come from seasons with some ups and downs, with players who left, others who joined. But working quietly and putting all the effort into achieving the goal, which was to finish the tournament undefeated”, he stated.
“Game by game we realized that we could win the Reclassification. We started the tournament knowing that that goal was a long way off. You had to work it. And luckily with the performance of all the players and the people of the club, there was noise. Something joint, between all. That is why we reached the objective”, explained Seba.
Seba was key in several games for Andorra based on his effectiveness with his foot.
In October 2020 he made his debut at VPC Andorra, at a semi-professional level in which he also worked as a coach.
“Personally, I really wanted to come back. He was in Andorra looking at the present of the club (“Uni”) in recent years. And the truth is that every day that he passed he felt that he needed to return to give the club everything he gave me as a boy, ”he said.
“Going back, being at the club with my lifelong teammates and getting on the field with them… It was all they needed. Little by little I was grabbing ‘Argentine rhythm’, to put it in some way, and we were finding the way around it to be able to reach a high level”, added Barrera.
Intermittently in 2020 due to the pandemic and throughout 2021, the Bahian was able to show himself in Andorra and be the protagonist in that league based on his effective punch, with which he defined matches.
“Physically it is a higher level than what we have in Bahia and the region. We had Georgian, Romanian, South African players… Quite a few English. And the French, who are quite tough. A very physical rugby and not so dynamic. So, going back to Universitario and seeing that there were players on the squad who moved the ball so that it flew, it was impressive. I had to get used to it!” he admitted.
From the left, Sebastián Barrera, Christian Abarca and Matías Barrera. Three ex “Uni” in Andorra.
The experience in Andorra was logically sporty and human.
“One leaves the country to look for the best version as a player. So, I trained so that the weekend would arrive and I could give my best. I was alone and I knew that I had to do that because it was my only task. Luckily I was able to fulfill it and we won many games. The goal of entering the playoffs was also met. Very happy about that,” he said.
“It took me a while to get used to the culture and the language. It was not only the first time that I was going to live abroad but also the first time that I was going to live alone. She cost. But at one point my girlfriend joined us and we lived together for two years. That made things a lot easier for me. Even during the season, my brother (Matías, who is currently still in Andorra) and my brother (Matías, who is currently still in Andorra) went to live in Andorra el Cordobés (NdR: Christian Abarca, also a Piranhas player), so living together was much easier, ”explained the second.
Barrera took stock of his role as coach, a new facet that he seeks to consolidate.
Interviews after a good game.
“In the first season I was just a player and from the second I started working at the club with women’s rugby and youth. And also in the Andorra national team, where I was with the men’s and women’s Under 18s. They played European tournaments that World Rugby organized. Once I stop playing, the idea is to continue to be linked to this sport, either as a coach or a physical trainer. And also seek my best level as a coach ”, he added.
Finally, the opening sees a good horizon for “Uni” in terms of rugby, for next year.
“Expectations are very good. For a month there have been meetings every week to put together the 2023 project. Many people who approach, many players who already obtain that project by training. We will seek, as far as possible, to win everything we play. There is a high bar and many people who want to work, both in the top squad and in children and youth, ”he added.
matias plays again
“I spent all of last season playing with torn cruciate ligaments. The club thanked me very much for that effort and when the season ended I had surgery. Six months now. I am quite advanced in recovery. The idea is to play again in the second half of the tournament for December or early January”, said Matías, Sebastián’s brother and VPC Andorra player.
“We are playing a reclassification tournament to go to the Division of Honor C. Because starting this year it changed. For a long time Andorra always played in the French regional league, but due to sponsorship issues and facilities for the club, soon we will do so in the tournament in Spain”, explained the former university student.
“In the meantime I am doing a substitution as a Physical Education teacher in a British school. Once the starter, who is also my teammate, rejoins, I will focus on my recovery again”, added the front row, who will make his return to Spanish rugby after passing through Gernika and Pasek Belenos (DH B).