Now, at the age of just 32, the Welshman is an international head coach in his own right as the man in charge of Poland after a remarkable journey which has certainly been anything but run of the mill.
Hitt worked to promote rugby in Wales for several years, but when his coaching dream started to become a real possibility, he decided to turn it into a reality.
He hasn’t looked back since.
After stints with Wales Sevens, Samurai Rugby, and Germany, Hitt is now with Poland.
Christian Hitt in his time with Germany
“I created my own path,” he said.
“I’ve built my own reputation because I am not an ex-professional or former international. My background is that I’ve worked with everyone from three-year-old kids to senior internationals.
“I do think not being an ex-professional has been an issue and a blocker for me.
“It was a bit like ‘Chris is just doing this as a bit of a jolly’ and it has been difficult and challenging, I’ll be honest. You do get looks from people which almost say ‘Well, what have you done?’
“I’m quite conscious of my reputation in coaching because I don’t have one as a player. I’m more critical on myself than others would be because of that.
“I know I have to keep developing myself so I’m in the middle of doing a masters at the moment.”
I’m quite conscious of my reputation in coaching because I don’t have one as a player. I’m more critical on myself than others would be because of that
Hitt has certainly had to do things the hard way.
There are not many aspiring young coaches who have had some of the experiences he’s had.
His next challenge is heading up Polish rugby.
“I’ve always known if I want to be a coach, I’d have to do it better than other people because I haven’t got that ex-player background to fall back on,” he said.
“Some of the experiences I’ve been in or had have been greater than any coaching badge. I don’t see Poland as my ceiling. I don’t what my ceiling is.
“If you’d told me 10 years ago when I first started working for the WRU I’d have international coaching experience by now, then I’d have just laughed.
“I don’t pigeon hole myself into one area. I’d love to work in the professional game in Europe whether that’s at a club or a national team.
“But the main thing for me now is to do a good job with Poland because your reputation is only as good as your last job.”
Christian Hitt in his time working with Wales Sevens
If you’d told me 10 years ago when I first started working for the WRU I’d have international coaching experience by now, then I’d have just laughed
Rugby is not professional in Poland, but it is on the up. The national side are ranked 34th in the world and play in the Rugby Europe Trophy – two tiers below the Six Nations.
That competition has been cancelled this year because of Covid-19 leaving Hitt plenty of time to get up to speed ahead of the 2021-22 season.
“We want to develop our player base in Poland,” said Hitt, who will travel back and forth from Wales when travel allows.
“The domestic league in Poland is developing and it’s just got on to the main sports TV channel there which is great because the mainstream sports are football and handball.
“The Polish domestic league is carrying on and I’m able to see those games online.”
One of the problems facing tier two and three nations is that some of the best players eligible to play for them choose not to as it would impact their club contracts and class them as foreign players.
Christian Hitt doing what he does best – coaching
Alex Lozowski is Polish qualified, but his talent has seen him win five caps to date for England and also claim this season’s European Challenge Cup with Montpellier.
Cardiff Blues prop Corey Domachowski could also play for Poland, but retains Wales ambitions.
Mikołaj Oledzki, currently playing rugby league with Leeds Rhinos, is another who has slipped through the net.
“Dawid Rubasniak plays for Ebbw Vale and played against the Netherlands last year. At that level, he’s a standout player and really valuable,” said Hitt.
“He’s a good example of someone who isn’t going to ruin his career by getting capped for Poland. If and hopefully when we can make the jump up to the Championship with Poland, I hope it will open up a few more doors.
“I understand the political side of it for players. They’re looking to make the Polish league professional in the next year or two.
“Everything that is happening in Poland from a rugby perspective is positive. I want to be part of developing the national team for the long term.”
Everything that is happening in Poland from a rugby perspective is positive. I want to be part of developing the national team for the long term
