Martin Kafka (rugby player)
Encyclopedia
Martin Kafka is a former Czech rugby
player and the current coach of the Czech Republic
. His great-uncle was the famous writer Franz Kafka
and his grandfather was a German
international footballer.
, with the intention of becoming a Physical Education teacher.
, 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
.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player and the current coach of the Czech Republic
Czech Republic national rugby union team
The Czech Republic national rugby union team is the third tier rugby national team of the Czech Republic.They first started playing as the Czech Republic in 1993 after the split of Czechoslovakia and now compete in the European Nations Cup. They have yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup, but...
. His great-uncle was the famous writer Franz Kafka
Franz Kafka
Franz Kafka was a culturally influential German-language author of short stories and novels. Contemporary critics and academics, including Vladimir Nabokov, regard Kafka as one of the best writers of the 20th century...
and his grandfather was a German
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
international footballer.
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 PragueCharles University in Prague
Charles University in Prague is the oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic. Founded in 1348, it was the first university in Central Europe and is also considered the earliest German university...
, with the intention of becoming a Physical Education teacher.
Rugby career
He went to Spain in 1999, playing for ValenciaRC Valencia
RC Valencia is a Spanish rugby team. The club currently competes in Group C of the Primera Nacional.-History:...
, who were then in the Spanish Second Division (División de Honor B
División de Honor B de Rugby
The Spanish rugby league has been contested since 1953. The second division is currently known as the Division de Honor B and has two groups of 8 clubs.-Teams 2010–11 season:--------External links:*...
).
In 2001 he joined La Moraleja Alcobendas
Alcobendas Rugby
Club Alcobendas Rugby is a Spanish rugby team based in Alcobendas, Spain.-External links:*...
, 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
European Challenge Cup
The European Challenge Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Amlin Challenge Cup, is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup. The cup was known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003 to 2005. The European...
in 2002 and finishing up as top scorer in the Spanish First Division (División de Honor
División de Honor de Rugby
-Past winners:-External links:*...
) in both 2002 and 2003. In 2003 he played for Castres
Castres Olympique
Castres Olympique is a French rugby union club located in the Midi-Pyrénées city of Castres and currently competing in the top level of the French league system.Founded in 1898, the club took its current name in 1906...
in France, and Racing Métro
Racing Metro 92 Paris
Racing Métro 92 is a French rugby union club based in suburban Paris that was formed in 2001 with the collaboration of the Racing Club de France and US Métro. "92" is the number of Hauts-de-Seine, the département of Île-de-France, bordering Paris to the west, where they play, and whose council...
the following year before rounding out his playing career at Japanese Top League
Top League
The Top League is a professional rugby union league created by the Japan Rugby Football Union to drive up the overall standard and popularity of the sport in the country and improve the results of the Japan national rugby union team. The first season was 2003-04 and featured 12 teams...
side Sanix
Fukuoka Sanix Blues
, formerly Fukuoka Sanix Bombs, is a Japanese rugby union team based in Munakata, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Founded in April 1994 , the team rose rapidly through the Kyūshū leagues and was in the Top League for the first season as Kyūshū's sole representative, but lost a relegation battle with...
.
International
He won at least 37 caps for the Czech Republic from 2000 to 2006, scoring at least 136 points in the process before assuming the coach's mantle in 2007.External links
- Martin Kafka profile at scrum.com
- Martin Kafka at ercrugby.com