Healy Resigns as Chilean Head Coach

Less than two months before the start of the inaugural Americas Rugby Championship the number five seed, Chile is without a coach. Los Condores’ Australian Head Coach Paul Healy has handed in his resignation with immediate effect.

He has taken the decision to resign due to a series of unresolved problems preventing him from adequately performing his role as Los Condores Head Coach. Unhappiness within the Chilean camp has previously been reported by Americas Rugby News with fly half Francisco Moller being very clear in his criticisms of the Federation.

Moller’s assertion that the “Chilean administration is on the wrong path” has now been backed-up by the departing Healy. Exactly where this leaves the national team and the union is unknown but significant changes appear to now be unavoidable.

Healy took the time to explain to Americas Rugby News exactly why he has left the post of Head Coach. The following is an open letter sent to Americas Rugby News from Healy. It is equal to that which he delivered to FERUCHI, explaining his resignation.

Due to many ongoing internal issues within my current working environment, which incorporated certain decisions that have been taken and also not communicated, that, in my opinion these decisions were not in the best interest for rugby here in Chile, now or in the future.

Whether people agree, disagree or do not understand, these issues have been ongoing and have been constantly overlooked, pushed aside and no positive outcomes have been found. This now meant my role as National head coach in Rugby XV and 7s became problematic, unmanageable and unsustainable and has severely affected my ability to achieve to 100%, my objectives, expectations and demands of my role.

In addition, the delivery and actions of my objectives , planning and structures which I had formulated in my attempt to take rugby forward in Chile, within this current environment has become unachievable and unrealistic.

However, I was asked my recommendations and to suggest what changes would be necessary to find a positive outcome or solution. Unfortunately, i have had no response to this request.

Therefore, in line with my core values and strong work ethics, I am unable to be part of this organisational environment and be comfortable with any of those decisions going forward and disappointingly will relinquish my duties here in Chile as of the 18th of December.

Secondly, due to the collective reasons I have mentioned, they have now impacted on me personally and professionally, so I am left with no other choice than the one I have made. But please note, and be very clear, I site this as my other reason.

I really want to thank the players, some of the staff within the Rugby Federation (on and off the field) and the genuine supporters of rugby here in Chile. I thoroughly enjoyed our successes together, working with and alongside you all, and i totally understand and appreciate the sacrifices you we’re always willing me to make and the efforts you always gave, under demanding circumstances to achieve the best possible results for rugby here in Chile.

Finally, I want to wish all these people every success with everything you do in rugby and in your personal lives also, and hopefully you continue to enjoy what you are doing and ultimately achieve the success you deserve.