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Rugby director leads St. Albert club to success

Alexis Michel has pursued lofty goals in his time at the helm
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Alexis Michel posing with one of the trophies that SARFC has won. SUPPLIED/ Alexis Michel

St. Albert is something of a powerhouse in men's rugby, but that hasn't always been the case. 

Back in 2021, the men's team was coming off a zero-win season with more questions than answers. Sensing the need for a change, the St. Albert Rugby Football Club (SARFC) reached out to Alexis Michel to turn things around. 

Michel is a former semi-professional rugby player with over six years of experience playing in France and Germany. In 2017, he chose a new path, turning to coaching. His coaching career took him all over the world, including France, Austria, and Italy. Then in 2022, he was asked to come coach the men's team in St. Albert. 

Michel noticed some important differences between playing in France and Germany, to here in Canada.

"The structure was a big thing," he said. "The seasons are shorter in Canada. It also feels like France has more interest (in rugby)." 

That challenge is one of the reasons Michel wanted to come coach in Canada. He made his impact felt immediately, as the SARFC were the Edmonton Rugby Union (ERU) Divison 2 league champions in 2022, Michel's inaugural season. When asked what he did to improve the team so quickly, Michel had a simple answer.  

"Mindsets are important," he said. "I helped develop more competitive mindsets (for the players). I also focused on technique, and improving their technique." 

The SARFC took Michel's advice to heart in the 2023 season, winning not only the Division 3 city finals, but the Division 2 provincial championship.  

Heading into the 2024 season a new title, "director of rugby" was created for Michel. This role was created to allow Michel to share not only his training plans, but his knowledge and approach to coaching. With a new role came some more ambitious goals for rugby in St. Albert stated Michel. 

"I wanted to bring back competitiveness here, and develop junior players" he said. 

The new role has allowed Michel to pursue those goals, but he is also adamant the original objectives are still in place. 

"We want to win the city championship and the provincial championship." 

The run the SARFC has had under Michel has been extraordinary.

However, the 2024 season, which ends in September, will be Michel's last with the SARFC. He has taken a three-year contract with a team in Italy for next year. 

Michel was quick to offer his thanks to the club for the opportunity he has had. 

"Thank you to (SARFC president) Matt Jarvis and everyone," he said. "I am so lucky to be so welcomed here."

The SARFC men's team is currently 5-0-2 in league play. Their next game is Saturday, Aug. 10 at 3 p.m. as SARFC travels to Edmonton to take on the Clansmen RFC.

For a full list of upcoming fixtures, visit the ERU website' rugby schedule 

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