The new image of

UFC Rapid

The urge to change the club image and the management mentality took over representatives of UFC Rapid. The following lines quote Ilie Florea, executive manager of the administrative section. He is talking about the reorganization of the whole activity of the ProRapid base.
“By reorganizing the club’s activity we want to accomplish two objectives: creating optimal conditions of European level if possible, for our players and improving the club’s image.
Regarding the first objective I must confess with pain in my heart that due to the economic situation of the country it is more and more difficult to enjoy funding. The economic milieu that set a floor for us all no longer allows economic agents to invest much in sport. Many would say <<you still have something, enjoy that much…>>. It is the truth. There are however cases when although you have to few you spend in vain the little you have. The Rapid Club is trying to create a positive image in the world of football because only through success and performance you can attract investors. You must convince them that you are a good investment.
Thus the two objectives are closely related one to each other. If the club will perform well then it will enjoy good financial conditions. This truth must be brought to the active knowledge of the administrative personnel but also to the players. Because it is them who create the image by the results they achieve. If we offer them better conditions and they fail to provide better results this means that something is not right. The last few years showed good performances, which means that when they truly try they are able to succeed.
The new reorganization has of course other advantages. Until now a single individual was handling all problems be they administrative of technical. The new program will solve the problems easier and more efficient.
Although I came to Rapid only a few months ago, the team convinced me that together we can make things move towards better results even if we will be unable to change the style of work right away. In time we will learn to work rigorous and with better results. I admit that my experience with football is still incipient but this does not mean that I will renounce. I wish to be a part to the installation of a healthy climate for all activities that will be based mainly of seriousness. Problems will be solved on stages, in a strict hierarchy and in an agreeable milieu. It is the only way that produces satisfaction.
Of course, until this contentment we must solve a series of small problems that have a special role. For instance I will start with a work program. I will not accept to have things solved in the last five minutes. Why put it out until tomorrow a problem that can be solved today? Out of laziness I could say. But this will never happen as long as I occupy this position. Once the problems will be solved we will have time to discuss future plans.
Another problem that will occupy my attention is managing costs. It is easy to come and say that you need a certain sum to do something and not be interested whether the money is available or not. Everyone must understand that the most important problems will come first and for the others we will try to find economic and rational solutions. I can say for sure that it will not be easy but working as a team we will produce positive results and we will become better.
To conclude I will stress the fact that UFC Rapid is aiming to modernize the ProRapid base in order to be able to proudly say that we are the first to <<exploit>> all possibilities of promoting this sport.”

Rapid players waiting for the play-off

CS Rapid became in just a few years - by performances managed by its own members - one of the most known club names when we are approaching the opening of the National and World Championships or the qualifications for the European Cups. The performances gained with hard work, registered I the glorious vertex of the club under the Grant Bridge made the railway sports sections - athleticism, volley, basket, karate become the main opponent for the strongest clubs in the country and abroad and also a permanent candidate to the podium.
The end of March will bring the joy of qualification in the 1-8 groups in the play-off of three great railway teams. After 22 stages played both as hosts and as guests in the National Championship, the women basket team (CFR Marfa) the women volley team (Rapid Bucharest) and the men’s basket team (Rapid Isover) will fight for a place on the podium.

Basket - Rapid CFR Marfa

The supporters of the women’s basket team are already used to the powerful game of the girls that lifted the team to the last step of the podium. Out of a few reasons, CFR lost last year the title of champion. Now they want to keep the leader position, a position they gained after 22 games. “We are not satisfied. We decided to do everything but disappoint our supporters and to get even with ourselves. In 1999 - 2000 we passed some bad times but this year we will prove that we are indeed the strongest team and that no mater the opponent, we play to win,” declared Grigore Tarcoci, the vice-president of CS Rapid, a man who believes that his team will gain the first position in the national championship.
About the present lot we can remind them that because the group is made of experimented players with a great advantage: the offensive, tactic game. It would seem that the intransigence of the game will dominate every game whether it is home or as guests.

Basket - Rapid Isover

Not the same situation is met when we are talking about the masculine basket team that leaves for the play-off less prepared and on a lesser position. Hostile occurrences prevented this team from winning at the championship. In continuous development, Rapid Isover has not found yet the best way to reconstruct, a fact that made their game less than desirable. The fact that they won the battle for the 4th place and the qualification in the play-off give us the hope that they will achieve what they set out to - meaning a position in the first half of the play-off.

Volley - Rapid Bucharest

The volley players will enter the play-off competition on the third position. As they are not used to this place, the staff decided to change the tactics and to adopt a more offensive style and no matter the kind of game, never to underrate their opponent. The battle among the eight teams that qualified will be close - especially within the first three positions - “U” Bacau, Dinamo Bucharest and Rapid Bucharest. If the edition 1999-2000 found the feminine team rapid Bucharest in a maximum shape because the team is made of the best players of the championship, this is not the case now. The loss by transfer of a most important player attracted unfavorable effects within the team and they are forced to enter this season with an almost new lot, even rushed in formation we might say.
The results obtained and the placement on the third position leads us to believe that Rapid Bucharest has real chances of becoming a national champion once more. Next to the team’s veterans - Mirela Corjeutanu, Cornelia Colda, tatiana Grabovetkaia (players), Costinel Stan (coach) and Mihai Duta (second) it may appear that the new players will enter the play-off with the wish to confirm the title of national champion, a title that in the opinion of railway men supporters should come to Giulesti. The play-off of the National Championship is the stage where no more points are added - only the victory counts. A lost game means less chances to climb to the top. A fact that encourages us to believe that this will be a very disputed championship is the fact that every team can bring surprises but we hope that finally the cherry-white colors will be those that will dress the highest position of the podium, no matter the sporting event.
Good Luck to you!

Oana Bran