Martin Kafka (rugby union) explained

Martin Kafka
Birth Date:25 July 1978
Birth Place:Říčany, Czechoslovakia
Weight:85kg (187lb)
Position:Fly-half, centre[1]
Amatyears1:1985-1998
Amatyears2:1999-2001
Amatyears3:2001-2003
Amatteam1:Říčany
Amatteam2:Valencia
Amatteam3:La Moraleja Alcobendas
Repteam1:Czech Republic
Repyears1:2000?-2006
Repcaps1:37
Reppoints1:136
Years1:2003-2004
Years2:2004-2005
Years3:2005–2006
Clubs1:Castres
Clubs2:Racing Métro
Clubs3:Sanix
Coachteams1:Czech Republic
Coachyears1:2007-
Relatives:Franz Kafka (great-uncle)

Martin Kafka (born 25 July 1978 in Říčany) is a former Czech rugby player and the current coach of the Czech Republic. His great-grandfather was a cousin of the famous writer Franz Kafka and his grandfather Erich Kafka was a footballer playing for DFC Prague.

Early years

Kafka started playing rugby at the age of seven at his hometown club. In 1997 he went to study at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport at the Charles University in Prague, with the intention of becoming a Physical Education teacher.

Rugby career

He went to Spain in 1999, playing for Valencia, who were then in the Spanish Second Division (División de Honor B).

In 2001 he joined La Moraleja Alcobendas, which boasted international players such as the Souto brothers, Carlos and Sergio. His two seasons at the club was a particularly successful part of his career, with him leading the club to victory against Overmach Parma in the European Challenge Cup in 2002 and finishing up as top scorer in the Spanish First Division (División de Honor) in both 2002 and 2003. In 2003 he played for Castres in France, and Racing Métro the following year before rounding out his playing career at Japanese Top League side Sanix.

International

He won at least 37 caps[2] for the Czech Republic from 2000 to 2006, scoring at least 136 points in the process before assuming the coach's mantle in 2007.

Honours

External links

Notes and References

  1. He won at least one cap at inside centre, against Portugal in 2004.
  2. http://www.ragby.cz/cesky-narodni-tym-rugby Český národní tým