Luca Petrozzi: A New Era for Rugby at Eltham College

Published by Eltham College on Thursday 26th of October 2023

Eltham College is delighted to welcome Luca Petrozzi as our new Performance Rugby Coach. Luca’s remarkable journey from a professional rugby player to a dedicated coach reflects his passion and dedication to the sport, which he’s eager to share with our students.

Luca Petrozzi’s rugby career is an incredible story of talent and perseverance. After completing his schooling in England, he embarked on a successful professional rugby journey that started in 2013, when he left to play for Benetton in Italy, winning the national championship with the u20 side and representing the men’s team.

Between 2014 and 2018, Luca combined his academic pursuits with rugby at Bath University. He studied politics and languages while playing for Bath Rugby and representing Italy u20 in the prestigious Six Nations tournament. Luca’s dedication to both academics and sports showcases his well-rounded approach to life.

After finishing university, Luca returned to Benetton, where he played for four seasons. His sporting journey expanded into sevens rugby, where he represented Italy on the European circuit and even in Olympic qualification tournaments. His outstanding performance earned him a place in Italy’s men’s autumn test series squad in 2020.

In 2023, Luca Petrozzi’s journey led him to London, Scottish before transitioning into coaching. This year sees him coach Harlequins DPP, a decision that has brought his vast expertise and knowledge to Eltham College.

Eltham College’s Head of Sport, Marc Edwards, expressed his delight with Luca’s appointment, stating, ‘his experience as an ex-professional rugby player in both the 15s and 7s formats means he brings us a wealth of expertise, especially in the backs position. It has been great to see him delivering kicking specialist workshops on Friday evenings. I wish Luca all the very best in the new role, and I am excited to see him develop our students’ rugby skills across the school.’

Head of Rugby at Eltham College, Ben King, also praised Luca’s contribution, emphasising, ‘Luca has brought a wealth of knowledge to the College since joining us in August. He has worked closely with all age groups and reinforces the importance of building foundational skills from a young age. His support, particularly with the backs, has been invaluable thus far.’

With Luca Petrozzi joining the Rugby team, Eltham College is on the brink of an exciting new chapter in rugby, bringing opportunities for our students and a legacy of excellence.