Ambassadors

The Argentina Rugby Festival is proud to share their network of ambassadors around the world, who will help to promote our festival, Argentina and South America as one of the most funny and interesting destination of the world to visit, to play rugby and to make new friends.

NICK WHITE (ENGLAND)
Has been playing rugby for 52 years around the World from USA to Malta; Hong Kong to Australia. Having been a coach, manager, Tour leader and National committee member. Involved with National teams at 7’s and 15’s both men’s and women’s and local clubs as current Vice President. Played in World and European and Asian Veterans festivals. Keen to develop the future in all aspects of rugby especially new countries seeking to expand global links and exposure.
MARKO PROTEGA (European (E V R A) Veteran Rugby Ambassador)
In 2019 it was 60 years (1959–2019) of continues active Marko´s involvement in Rugby. Started at begin of 1959 in Nada RFC (Split) he won 10 Yugoslav Championship and 6 National Cup competitions. In the same he played for the first ever Yugoslav National team in 1968. Finishing his career as the player, he became National Coach U19 (1980/81) and Full National Side (1987-1991). In the meantime he founded, or was directly involved in the foundation, of five new clubs in former country. In 1992 he moved to Germany (Heidelberg) where he worked as professional School Rugby promotor for Rugby Union Baden- Württemberg (RBW) for more than 10 years. His first contact with Veteran Rugby was in 1981 when “his” Team of former Yugoslavia Internationals took part at Veteran Tournament in Rome. Followed two participations at ANZ World Golden Oldies Rugby Festival (London 1985, Auckland 1987). Coming to Heidelberg at the begin 0f 1992, as Festival Director of 1st European Golden Oldies Rugby Festival 1994, together with Jeff Butterfield (England and British Lions 1955 player) and Claus-Peter Bach (President RBW) as the Chairman of Organising Committee, they organised this first ever European Golden Oldies Rugby event, as European Committee of Air NZ World Golden Oldie Rugby. In October 2010, with 14 European rugby friends he founded E V R A (European Veteran Rugby Association), the only one registered European Veteran Rugby organisation, with seat in Heidelberg.  As EVRA Secretary he was directly involved with organisation of EVRA European Festivals in 2011 (in Cascais, Portugal), 2013 (in Esztergom, Hungary), 2015 (in Farnham) on the occasion of RWC in England, 2017 (in Siedlce, Poland), 2019 (in Belluno, Italy). After two years of “Covid-19 pause” the next EVRA Festival is going to be in France (September, October 2023), again on the occasion of Rugby World Cup 2023. At the first EVRA Festival 2011 he managed so called “EVRA XV Team”, selection of veteran players from very different European countries. EVRA Team took part at each of European festivals. In between “EVRA Selection” answered positively to the invitations of different celebrations of National Rugby Unions, taking part at different events. In 2022 EVRA Select Team took part at 43rd U F A R National Festival in Toulon , that in the same time was the 40th Anniversary of Union Ancient Francaise de Rugby, the biggest National Veteran Rugby Association in Europe. In November 2022 Marko with different National Rugby personalities will come to Buenos Aires as “Veteran Rugby Ambassadors” to take part at Argentina World Rugby Festival. We shall be happy to meet again old and new Rugby friends ….
DAN SANTORO (FLORIDA, USA)
I began playing rugby in college in 1981 in New Haven, Connecticut at Southern Conn. State College and have played for adult clubs in New Haven, Boca Raton, Florida and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I began to play ‘old boys’ when needed before my 35th birthday but my real Golden Oldies or serious old boys career began with the 1995 Golden Oldies in Christchurch, NZ.  I have participated in 10 Golden Oldies/Vintage Rugby events over the years in cities like Vancouver, Adelaide, Toulouse, Brisbane, San Diego, Buenos Aires, Edinburgh, Sydney and Honolulu as well as Christchurch. In 2001 I became the monthly Masters columnist for RUGBY magazine in America and held that position for 4 years (when the magazine shut down). I was the tournament director 3 years of the Fort Lauderdale International Tournament and for 12+ years I was the social director and Masters organizer for the event. I also organized the Florida Masters Championship 6 times, which was a 1 day event held in Tampa or Orlando in the 1990s and 2000s. For 12 years I hosted a World Masters Rugby chat room on Yahoo that had 1,200+ members and also a Yahoo room for American Rugby News that had 900+ members. At present I admin the World Masters Rugby group on Facebook
 https://www.facebook.com/groups/WorldMastersRugby  which has 3,200+ members.
BRAD GREENWOOD (CANADÁ)
Brad has been involved in rugby, at all levels as a player and coach, for over 40 years.  Throughout this time, he has toured extensively on dozens of rugby tours. These tours have taken him around the world to destinations such as Argentina, Ireland, France, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Hong Kong, Czech Republic, Bahamas, Bermuda, the United Kingdom, the USA and of course Canada. Brad deeply believes in the touring culture of rugby and the life-long bonds it develops over the sport we all love so dearly.
HUGO PELLEJERO (ARGENTINA)
I returned to play rugby in 2003, at «39», in VETERANS of Commercial Rugby Club, «LOS PURA MALTAS», in Mar del Plata, thanks Fredy Acuña and Pampa Musicante. Never stop playing again, in almost 20 years. Innumerable parties… from Ushuaia to La Quiaca, literally… With friends from all over the country, as well as from all continents… Tours, incredible trips, visiting the most beautiful places in Argentina, or even abroad. Rugby showed me that its principles and values ​​are real, that countless people, friends that the game made it possible for me to meet, apply them, humility, friendship, frankness, perseverance, solidarity, respect, etc. Without a doubt, playing Rugby again, in a Veterans team, has been one of the best and happiest decisions of my life. I wish I could continue playing forever, with my friends the Veterans, here on earth… Or if it’s time…..

OLE BANG (DENMARK, SWEDEN & NORWAY)
I became involved in rugby I 1984, the same year my club was founded, and I have been involved ever since. Over the years I have had many functions as player, coach and organizer at both club and union level, but now my energy is in Veterans rugby. In 2017 we founded our local Veterans side “Fratres Ovalibus” – Oval Brothers, and today we have 60 members and still growing. I think that bond you make with other players in Veteran rugby are unique and touring is the highlight for me and my rugby brothers. It brings up the best in people with focus on the values of rugby. Looking forward to see you out there on the pitch or in the bar. 

HENNING OHLERICH – OHLE  (BERLIN, GERMANY)
I have been playing rugby in different clubs (leagues) since 1986. I was youth and children coach in my club BSV 1892. Since 2010 I lead our Old boys team Die Alte Preussen  (The Old Prussians). Apart from the national veteran activities we organize (this year October 1st in Berlin)  our 13th edition of Heine Cup – International Veteran Tournament, we also participate at one – two international tournaments every year. As a ambassador for the veteran rugby, I would like to make the contribution to better cooperation and networking in the national and international environment. See you all in Buenos Aires . . .

 

ROSARIO BIUNNO (NORTH ITALY)
I have been involved (since 1972) in rugby, at all levels from player to coach and since 2008 President of a local club. Throughout these years I have gained 360° experience. Since 2013, when I became part of the EVRA Select XV, I was able to further my horizons Internationally participating in many rugby tournaments mainly in Europe.

As a Rugby Player
My rugby career began in 1972 in Northeast Catholic High School Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1976 until 1983 played for my University Villanova (always in the state of Pennsylvania where my principal role was inside center and in alternative flanker. During my years at University, I also managed to play for a local club, the “Radnor All Blacks”.In 1983, I moved back to Italy and played for and found a club (“Serie C”) in Cernusco Sul Naviglio a city on the outskirt of Milano. From 1987 until 1995 I played at CUS Milano, a club in “Serie A”. I finished my “professional” career at 42 years old, the maximum age allowed by the regulations. I began to play (and still play) ‘old boys’ with the “Coyotes”, the old side of the Cernusco Rugby Club. In since 2013, I played with the EVRA Select XV and have also Captained the selection from 2015. With EVRA Select XV, I have participated in many International tournaments in Poland, Hungary, England and the last one was in France.

As a Passion
In 2005 together with friend, we started “Treviglio Rugby School”. Treviglio is a city Northeast of Milan. Starting the school, was our way to promote and make the sport known  to all ages and genders. In 2007 the “School” became a club, the total number of members was at that time50. In 2008 (til today) I was elected  President. Treviglio Rugby Club (TRC) has all the catagories from U5 upto a Senior XV (the later participates in Serie C championship). The number os members in the club currently stands at 200, a big success considering the territory is predominately football.

 

JOSE REDONDO ( PORTUGAL)
1962 – Started as a Rugby player at Académica de Coimbra where he played   from 1962  to 1973.  During 5 years he played both soccer and rugby.
1971-he was a founding member  of the Rugby Club of Coimbra.
1973-He participated in the Installing Committee of the Coimbra Rugby Committee, of which he was director for more than 20 years.
1973 – Founded in Lousã, his hometown  and headquarters of the family company Licor Beirão, a club that started with about 30 athletes from 10 to 14 years old. After 3 years that club had the 1st U-16 team. Two years later he played with the first U-18 team and in 1981 the same athletes and many others who joined made the first senior team of Rugby Club da Lousã. He  coached all age groups of Rugby Club da Lousã from 1973 to 1986, and focused in youth teams training for further 10 years.  During this period he attended rugby courses in Spain, France and England.
1985 – “Dedication of the Year” award from Rádio Difusão Portuguesa Centro
1986 – Medal from the Lousã City Council for “Effort and Dedication to the R.C. Lousã»
1990 – President of the Lousã-Prades Twinning Commission, formed from the exchanges between the two European towns at rugby level.
1994 – Lousã City Council awarded him the “Medal of Merit of the Municipality”
1998 – “The best of sports” trophy from the newspaper “As Beiras”
1999 – Awarded by the Portuguese Government with the Medal of Good Services. – Awarded by the Coimbra City Council at the Regional Sports Gala.
2001- It was the world precursor of the tight  jerseys, firstly used in a seven’s tournament in Lisbon,  which were immediately adopted by major rugby teams around the world.- Distinguished as “Coach of the Year” by the Coimbra Youth Institute.
2001 to 2010 he was a member of the General Council of the Portuguese Rugby Federation several times.
 2002 – Until today, he is the member of Confrarubya, very restricted Association of old Rugby players.
2006 – Awarded “Recognize the Merit”  of  Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth
2010 – Founding Member of European Veteran Rugby Assotiation (EVRA)– Career Award from Diário As Beiras.
2011 – “Meritorious partner” of the Rugby Club  Lousã
2012 – “Dedication Award” from the Diário de Coimbra
– “Distinguished Service Medal” of the Portuguese Rugby Federatio
            – Attribution by the Lousã City Council of his name to the Rugby Stadium
2014 – Honorary Member of Rugby Club da Lousã
2015- “Director of the Year Award” from the newspaper “As Beiras”.           – “Career Award” from the Portuguese Rugby Federation
2019 – “Director of the Year Award” by CNID (the Portuguese Association of Sports Journalists)               – “Director of the Year” Bento Pessoa Award – “Example Award Podium Trophies” of the Coimbra Newspaper.
– “ Career Award” from the Rádio Mundial FM

Boros Zoltan (Hungary)

Boros Zoltan (53), Computer systems administrator,  started to play Rugby in Kecskemet Rugby Club GAMF (now KARC) in 1987.

During his active career he played (Backline positions ) for Kecskemet first team and Hungarian National side too.

He continued to play Rugby as Veteran and is actual leader of K A R C Old Boys (since 2004), the Team that participates national veteran tournaments as well as internationally – EVRA events.

Boros is one of Old Boys Hungary founders, together with Attila Kovacs (member of EVRA Executive Board) & Friends, Team that is very active on international level.

The Highlights, as Veteran, Boros experienced at two World Masters Games (2013, 2017) playing for Australian rugby team.

Asked to support Veteran Rugby as the Ambassador he said: “I am honoured and happy to be able to serve our idea of developing Veteran rugby, not only in Europe, but Worldwide too . . . “