DRIVING FORWARD • GREMO NAPREJ • ГУРАМО ДАЉЕ VOLLE KRACHT VOORUIT! • УПЕРЕД ДО ПЕРЕМОГИ! DAİMA İLERİ • FRAMÅTDRIVANDE • ŤAH NA BRÁNKU ТОЛЬКО ВПЕРЕД! • AVANÇAR, SEMPRE • MÅL I SIKTE TOT ÎNAINTE • NAVVANZAW ‘IL QUDDIEM • EITI PIRMYN KEYRUM ÁFRAM • LENDÜLETESEN ELŐRE • דוחפים קדימה ΠΡΟΧΩΡΑΜΕ ΜΠΡΟΣΤΑ • WIR KÄMPFEN UNS NACH VORN TIKAI UZ PRIEKŠU • TARMOLLA ETEENPÄIN • EDASI TUNGIDES EN AVANT ! • წინ გადაადგილება • VOLLE KRACHT VOORUIT! ԸՆԹԱՆԱԼՈՎ ԱՌԱՋ • HƏDƏFƏ DOĞRU İRƏLLİYƏRƏK SEMPRE AVANTI • SEMPRE ENDAVANT • КРАЧКА НАПРЕД RAZÍME SI CESTU VPŘED • ENDNU ET SKRIDT FREMAD OSTRO DO PRZODU • AVANZANDO • GURAMO DALJE
A FORCE FROM GIBRALTAR
A nation that stands at the gateway to the Mediterranean and loves rugby. We are dedicated to becoming an associate member of FIRA-AER on 5th July 2013. Looking forward to joining you as part of Europe’s finest rugby family.
Driving forward
Our nation is accepted by over 20 internationally accepted sporting associations and federations. Gibraltar Rugby is fully compliant with every respect of the FIRA-AER rules and conditions of membership.
Big tackles. Hard hits Gibraltar Rugby Football Club (GRFC) has managed the sport across our country since 1945, becoming the Gibraltar Rugby Football Union in 2005. Our clubs play in a League and in a Cup as well as friendlies with visiting countries across Europe. Now we’re ambitious to join FIRA-AER to play more.
OUR RUGBY HERITAGE Early 1900s
1982
Teams made up from military regiments play against the crews of visiting naval vessels
Spain re-opens border to pedestrians under limited conditions. Fixtures begin with Andalucía clubs.
1940 Evacuation of Gibraltarian civilian population from Gibraltar, during World War 2
1945 Peacetime returns. Rugby is played again. Gibraltar Rugby Football Club (GRFC) is founded.
1944-1951 Gibraltar’s evacuees return to Gibraltar
1960s Local league formed between GRFC, British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
1965 Junior and Minitag Rugby founded.
1969 Spain closes the land border. Local league thrives.
1990s Teams play fixtures in Loulle and Lisbon, Portugal and Benidorm, Spain as well as tournaments in the UK. Clubs from Europe tour to play our clubs and Gibraltar 1st XV.
1999 Gibraltar clubs stop competing in the Andalucía league
2005 GRFC name change to GRFU to include civilian and military clubs
2008 GRFU starts its Youth Development programme. First appointment of a Junior Rugby Development Officer. Focus on teacher education. Introduce rugby to middle schools.
2009
2012
The Super 4’s - new draft based league rolled out to equal competitiveness of Gibraltar league.
New astro-turf is laid at the National Stadium, meeting International IRB requirements and IRB Article 22 regulations.
Belgium under 23’s team play Gibraltar in Brussels.
2010 Historic, first-ever, encounter in Gibraltar between Marbella RFC and Gibraltar rugby team. GRFU applies to become an Affiliate Member of FIRA-AER.
2011 Gibraltar mini team established. Gibraltar GRFU hosts its first locally based international Sevens tournament. Gibraltar National 7s team competes in Tangier 7s, Morocco. Links forged between Morocco and Gibraltar make it an annual event.
2013 Gibraltar national team plays Cyprus select – in Gibraltar. Gibraltar wins 36-10 in front of 1500 spectators at Victoria Stadium. Senior FIRA-AER executive reporter is sent to Gibraltar to access Gibraltar’s rugby credentials. Gibraltar meets FIRA-AER sporting requirements to be a member. 3 years after applying for affiliation, Gibraltar’s application is approved by FIRA-AER EXO to stand before the FIRA-AER General Assembly on 6th July.
We’re passionate about rugby – just like you Every member of our team plays with the passion and dedication of a true professional – supported by a team of coaching staff who live and breathe rugby.
A way of life
Rugby is the fastest growing amateur sport in Gibraltar. With over 383 registered playing GRFU members, four clubs, one representative club ‘the Barbarians’ and a national team that covers Senior, Junior and Mini age groups. We also run tag touch rugby and +7s rugby. At senior level, we have 128 registered players, across four clubs with 109 qualifying to play for our Nation. How’s that for using our skills and size to best advantage?
Gibraltar Rugby club structure Clubs
Women
GRFU operates 4 registered clubs: • Gibraltar Bay Buccaneers
A strong part of the Westside Girls School curriculum
• Rock Scorpions
• Up to 110 girls play in a tournament
• Europa Stormers
• 12 are registered with GRFU
• Straits Sharks Play League and Cup games plus Friendlies with touring sides and visiting vessels.
Coaching 24 players completes Rugby ready education program
Players
IRB Level 1 completed by;
GRFU has 383 registered playing members:
• 44 players
• 128 senior players – 109 qualify to play for Gibraltar (IRB regulation 9)
• Coaches
• 255 youth players (from 6 – 18)
• Teachers
• + tag/touch rugby for social members (unregistered)
• Students
Youth Mini sections across our 4 clubs – U6 – U12
• Parents
Refereeing IRB Level 1 Referees Course followed by: • 15 referees
• U14s Academy
Ground
• U16s Academy
Our National Ground offers excellent facilities:
• U18s Academy
• Artificial surface meets IRB regulation 22
• 10/12-a-side tournaments
• Stands hold 2500 spectators
Combine with Barbarians to play visiting sides and in Andalucía.
• Additional, Military sports ground also available
Schools Focus on rugby in schools’ curriculum Qualified development officer – Guy Lelue • 200 children participate from each year group • 4 age groups play up to GCSE level • 200 play at mid-school level • 10% play rugby as an after school activity
Investing in the future of rugby Grassroots rugby We’ve developed an extremely popular rugby infrastructure that continues to grow and strengthens our position as true competitors on the world stage. Rugby is played by people from all walks of life in Gibraltar – from boy and girls at school to expats in the Super 4s League. Rugby helps to unite people and encourages a love of sport that lives on for generations.
“ The idea is to lay down roots in schools so there’ll always be a supply of players in Gibraltar” Joey Garcia Lawyer and Centre for the Europa Stormers.
Women’s rugby Rugby in Gibraltar embraces and unites everybody. Rugby is part of the curriculum of Westside Girls School, with a focus on sevens. Up to 110 girls played in a school tournament and 12 are fully registered with GRFU. GRFU provides a strong platform for the support and development of women’s and girls’ rugby with credible coaching and training infrastructure.
Athletics
Badminton
Basketball
Boxing
Squash
Swimming
Table Tennis
Triathlon
Football
Fishing
Ju Jitsu
Netball
Hockey
Rowing
Volleyball
Cricket
Tenpin Bowling
Special Olympics
Darts
Pool
A team player Gibraltar competes at international level, as a full or associated member of numerous sporting bodies. We’ve just achieved full membership of UEFA, European football’s governing body.
“ We were delighted to be unanimously voted into UEFA, in May 2013. Once again, it proves that our sports men, women and children can compete at the highest level.” Dennis Beiso UEFA & Media Liaison Officer Gibraltar Football Association
Our memberships
“ Having joined the European Hockey Federationa in 1969, we are extremely proud to be part of the European hockey family.� Eric J. Abudarham Chairman, Gibraltar Hockey Association Member, Education Committee, European Hockey Federation Secretary, Technical Officials Working Group, European Hockey Federation Tournament Director, European Hockey Federation
Athletics
Hockey
Volleyball
Netball
Membership of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and European Athletics (EA) as well as the Athletic Association of the Small States of Europe (AASSE)
Membership of the Federation Internationale de Hockey (FIH) and the European Hockey Federation (EHF) granted in 1969
Membership of the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) and the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) granted in 1984
Membership of the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) granted in 1995
Badminton
Rowing
Membership of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) granted in 1986
Membership of the International Rowing Federation (FISA) granted in 1984
NON-OLYMPIC SPORTS
Basketball
Squash
Membership of the Federation Internationale de Basket-ball (FIBA) and FIBA Europe granted in 1986.
Membership of the World Squash Federation (WSF) granted in 2000
Founder members of FIBA Europe in 2002
Membership of the Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) granted in 1970
Boxing Membership of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) granted in 1975
Football Membership of UEFA granted in May 2013
Swimming
Table Tennis Membership of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) granted in 1995
Triathlon Membership of the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and the European Triathlon Union (ETU) granted in 2002
Cricket Membership of the International Cricket Council (ICC) granted in 1969
Darts Membership of the World Darts Federation (WDF) granted in 1992
Fishing Member of Federation Internationale de la Peche Sportive - Mer (FIPS-M) and the European Federation of Sea Anglers (EFSA)
Ju Jitsu Membership of the United Nations of Ju Jitsu (UNJJ) granted in 1993
Tenpin Bowling Membership of the World Tenpin Bowling Association (WTBA) and the European Tenpin Bowling Federation (ETBF) granted in 2000/01
Special Olympics Membership of Special Olympics International (SOI) granted in 1985
A rugby nation As a proud, self-governing nation, we all join together to celebrate our culture, sport and of course, our love for rugby – with a passion. Being part of the FIRA-AER family means everything to us all.
Rugby in our community
As an incredibly popular participation sport in Gibraltar, rugby plays an active role in society. We raise funds for charities, help local schoolchildren and encourage involvement in this sport famous for its honesty and integrity. Rugby instils values of friendship, respect, diligence and truth into players of all ages and abilities.
Always a warm welcome Our Mediterranean climate – averaging 320 days of sunshine each year with gentle sea breezes, makes Gibraltar the perfect venue for hosting rugby competitions and training. Relaxed clean and safe, Gibraltar welcomes 10 million visitors each year. There’s something for everyone. Discover nearby archaeological sites, cultural monuments and treasures. Explore bars, restaurants, cafes, clubs and casinos. Visit opera, exhibitions, jazz, classical and rock concerts. Enjoy sailing, sports and outdoor activities – all year round. And shopping for VAT free goods.
Perfectly positioned
Our country is perfectly positioned at the gateway to the Mediterranean, bridging the continents of Europe and Africa. With excellent connections to major European cities and beyond, Gibraltar is ideally located to join the world’s finest rugby family. We look forward to extending a warm Gibraltarian welcome to our fellow FIRA-AER national associations.
We welcome the world With its Mediterranean climate, Gibraltar is the perfect place for hosting rugby and a relaxed, clean and safe place to visit. Accessible by air, sea or land, Gibraltar welcomes over 10 million visitors a year. Come and experience the beauty and charm of Gibraltar. There’s so much to do, see and discover.
So much to offer
We are passionate about our nation, our people, Europe, rugby and, of course...
Being part of the FIRA-AER family.
“ It is our mission to be humble and gracious both on and off the field; to respect our opponents in both victory and defeat; and to encourage and facilitate the involvement of as many players as possible – male, female, young and old – in rugby activities, believing in the true spirit of the code of Rugby Football Union, all for the love of the game!” The Gibraltar Rugby Football Union
DRIVING FORWARD • GREMO NAPREJ • ГУРАМО ДАЉЕ VOLLE KRACHT VOORUIT! • УПЕРЕД ДО ПЕРЕМОГИ! DAİMA İLERİ • FRAMÅTDRIVANDE • ŤAH NA BRÁNKU ТОЛЬКО ВПЕРЕД! • AVANÇAR, SEMPRE • MÅL I SIKTE TOT ÎNAINTE • NAVVANZAW ‘IL QUDDIEM • EITI PIRMYN KEYRUM ÁFRAM • LENDÜLETESEN ELŐRE • דוחפים קדימה ΠΡΟΧΩΡΑΜΕ ΜΠΡΟΣΤΑ • WIR KÄMPFEN UNS NACH VORN TIKAI UZ PRIEKŠU • TARMOLLA ETEENPÄIN • EDASI TUNGIDES EN AVANT ! • წინ გადაადგილება • VOLLE KRACHT VOORUIT! ԸՆԹԱՆԱԼՈՎ ԱՌԱՋ • HƏDƏFƏ DOĞRU İRƏLLİYƏRƏK SEMPRE AVANTI • SEMPRE ENDAVANT • КРАЧКА НАПРЕД RAZÍME SI CESTU VPŘED • ENDNU ET SKRIDT FREMAD OSTRO DO PRZODU • AVANZANDO • GURAMO DALJE
CONTACT Chad Thomson Secretary Gibraltar Rugby Football Union Unit 1.10, Retrenchment Block, Lathbury Barracks, Gibraltar e: chad.thomson@rugby.ngo.gi t: +350 5600 0235 w: www.rugby.ngo.gi