On Thursday morning, RSV Lahn-Dill announced its newest signing for the 2019/20 season, Australian international Michael Auprince. The signing comes hot off the heels of Auprince’s back-to-back NWBA college championship wins with the University of Alabama. He has also achieved success with the Aussie Rollers national team, winning bronze at the 2018 World Championships. He will look to make an impact for RSV Lahn-Dill following the departures of Japanese and Swiss internationals, Hiroaki Kozai and Philipp Häfeli.
Rollt Magazin’s English-speaking Content Producer, Dylan Cummings, spoke with Auprince in an exclusive interview.
Why did you choose to move to RSV Lahn-Dill next season?
“RSV Lahn-Dill is a great club. I know the system very well. I first met Nicolai Zeltinger back in 2016 when he came out to watch the college nationals in Edinboro. Nicolai introduced himself to me not only as the German national team coach but also the coach of RSV Lahn-Dill. He seemed genuinely interested in me as a player and as a person. This is what first got me interested in playing professionally. Günther Mayer came out to Alabama several years ago and I remember him as a coach who knew the game extremely well. He was someone who I got on very well with. Janet McLachlan played at Alabama and I have seen what she has done in her international playing career and how great she was. I have heard nothing but great things about her coaching career. With those connections and seeing the team grow over the last several years made choosing RSV Lahn-Dill a very easy and comfortable decision.”
How do you intend to fit into the dynamics of the team?
“I am a team first guy. Whatever the coaches and players need me to do, I will do. Whether that’s drawing a double team inside to give our shooters an uncontested shot to rebounding the ball or playing tough defence.”
How do you feel about playing in the Bundesliga and do you have any previous knowledge of the league?
“A lot of Australians play in the Bundesliga at the moment which is where the majority of my knowledge comes from! Kim Robins plays for the Munich Iguanas and Jontee Brown plays for the Koln 99ers, which is where John McPhail and Luke Pople both played for a time. Everything they have told me has been positive. They said it is one of the best in the world and is only getting better. They cannot wait to see me in this league. Personally, I am excited to play in this league as I feel this is the best place for me to play quality games against quality opponents, week in and week out.”
What are your thoughts on German culture?
“After spending time in Germany during the World Championships last year, I fell in love with the country. It may seem strange, but Germans and Australians are very similar in that they are goal orientated people but whom have a deep respect for tradition and history as well as a pretty great sense of humour which I appreciate.”
What was you experience like at the University of Alabama and how does it feel to be a national college champion?
“I have spent four years at the University of Alabama and it feels like only yesterday that I was starting there. It has been a place where I have grown into the person and player I am today. I have seen what a good system and good coaching can do for a player first hand. It has put me in the position that I am currently in. To win a championship for my college with the group of guys that we had is an amazing feeling and experience, but to win back to back titles is indescribable.”
What are your goals for next season?
“I want to help RSV Lahn-Dill win titles.”
Rollt. Magazin would like to thank Michael Auprince for this interview.
Michael Auprince Profile
DOB: 21/02/1993 (aged 26)
Hometown: Peakhurst, New South Wales
Started playing: 2006
Classification: 4.0
Disability: Single-leg amputee
Australia senior debut: 2018 World Championships
Future club: RSV Lahn-Dill, Germany (starting September 2019)
Former clubs:
_University of Alabama, USA (2015-2019)
_Wollongong Rollerhawks, Australia (2013-2018)
Career Highlights:
_2018 World Championships – Hamburg, Germany – Bronze
_2012 Paralympic Games – London, UK – Bronze (as a swimmer)
_2013 U23 World Championships – Adana, Turkey – Bronze
_2017/18 and 2018/19 NWBA Men’s Collegiate Finals – Gold (University of Alabama)
_2017/18 and 2018/19 Austrailian league – Gold (Wollongong Rollerhawks)
Interview: Dylan Cummings | Photo: Steffie Wunderl