Saioa Jaurena Atxa (Elizondo, 1989) is a professional and professional athlete. He clearly says that he would like to be ‘upside down’, although he knows that it is ‘impossible’. However, the sign that impotence has been made on the basis of effort, pulling its dream and working enthusiastically, has gone a long way in rugby. He started late, but if he tried it, he lives tied to rugby. What is more, he has taken away all the sacrifices he has made in recent years.

Where does the connection with rugby come from?
I played handball when I was a kid, but until I was 16, I started playing rugby, I had no connection with rugby, I didn't know. I tried it in high school, I had just left handball, and encouraged by a couple of Narbarte classmates who were training with the Lekaroz kids, we got together and we started training in Lekaroz. As there was no group of girls, we were sent immediately to the La Unico group in Pamplona.

What memories do you have of then?
Very nice. We got a lot of new players together in The One, half the Baztan, and we set up a very nice team. So the veterans welcomed us with open arms. Very good holidays, very nice moments... I've made great friends that I still keep from those first girls. The fact that we were little joined us more and we went from not knowing ourselves to being a very united group.

Today you are in Baiona...
Yes, it is not so easy to find a team that has a good level from players or trainings, but in Baiona I have found the level of rugby I need. It is in the first division of France, the league is very good, we are increasingly required from the club and I have found the rhythm of play I need to play in the highest category.

What are the objectives of the group?
Last year, as was not expected, we reached semi-finals. In semifinals we lost to the team that won the league. This year, the goal is to get into the top eight and we would like to return to the semi-finals.

What's the secret to keep up?
I have come up, and you do not believe that it has cost me a great deal. I'm pretty stubborn, and I would say the secret is to work for what you want. When you have a dream, there is nothing better than containing it. In addition, I've been very lucky because I haven't had serious injuries and I've never made a long stop. In addition, with age, I've felt better.

Have you had to leave something with rugby?
At the present level, yes, a lot of things. At first no, I was in college, I worked on weekends and I adapted to play rugby, but since I started to take myself seriously when I was 22-23 years old, I had to leave things. I have to train a lot of afternoons and I don't have time to do other things; on weekends, rugby is also a priority, and I can't say I'm not going to play rugby for a meal or something else. The priority is rugby and then there are the others. It is a sacrifice, but when everyone’s goals are met, everything is easier.

So you were clear...
Yes, perfectly clear. And those around me understand me. You know what rugby is for me.

What did rugby give you? He has taught
me many things: what sacrifice is, what it is to help a neighbor, how you get what you want...

And delete it?
The sacrifices I have made on purpose, I have never felt compelled and I would not say that I have been taken away.

You have also had the opportunity to play in the biggest competitions: among others, in the championships of the World and of Europe...
Since I started with the Spanish team between six and seven years ago, we have played and won more than one European championship. In these championships, however, great nations like France, Ireland or England do not play, because they have another league. We are playing against those on a lower level than we are, so we have gained without major problems. However, the other European championships that qualify for the World Cup are more complicated, as two or three high-level teams come in and are very demanding. This year we want to qualify for the World Championship that will be played in New Zealand in 2021 and for that we will have to win a couple of top-level teams. For the rest, both at European level and at the World Championships that I have disputed are very nice and at the same time tough experiences. They're long tournaments and they're good and bad times. By winning everything goes well, but when you lose, your colleagues get discouraged and your workouts don't go so well. You have to know how to turn that around.

What level is there in female rugby in Euskal Herria?
Ten years ago the level was very good. There were many players then playing in the Spanish team. It has come down since then. A couple of years ago the Getxo team came down from the Honor Division and that was a huge blow to women's rugby in Euskal Herria, as we wanted something else for the Euskal Herria players who were going to Getxo to play the National League. Now there is no possibility, and many good players are leaving Euskal Herria. In recent years, however, the level has been improving. There are clubs that are investing money, that are working to get to the top division and that are doing a lot of work with the younger ones. To continue down that road, to see if we have achieved another level by ten years.

And in the county?
I am not clear. The Baztan boys' rugby team has also been very unsuccessful, although in the end, fortunately, it will go ahead. I'd like to push women's rugby forward, but boys also have the challenge of keeping their team up, and it's not easy to face another challenge on the back. I am no longer in the Baztan and I find it difficult to assume that responsibility. But I would tell the girls to try rugby, if they knew him more, they would choose.

In general, how does women's rugby look?
The female always goes behind the male sport. In recent years we have taken great strides; in the media we find ourselves more than ever and in clubs we have more space than before. That is the way forward, to give equal importance to both women and men.

What's wrong?
In addition to sport, being a business, and as male sport sells more, they give more importance to men. After all, it is everyone’s responsibility, we should also be using women’s sport.

Professor of profession, rugby enthusiast. How do you combine them?
Fortunately, as a teacher, I have no trouble going to train in the evenings and playing games on weekends. When I have to go with the selection, I have to ask for permission in the Department of Education and I have increasing difficulties.

How long are you going to continue in rugby?For the moment, I
want to train as best and as best as possible in the face of the World Cup, because they are the last opportunities and I want to enjoy as much as possible. From there we will see.

SHORT
A book? Yenisjoplin.
A rugby team? Black Ferns from New Zealand
Handball or rugby? Rugby.
Other sport than rugby and handball? Cycling, both to see and to practice.
Beach or mountain? Mt.
Baztan's favorite place? To Alkurru.
A place to live? Although I don't live there, in Baztan.
Would you like to visit a place? Canada.
A music group? ZEA Mays