Interested in playing or watching rugby in Stockholm?
Over the years rugby in Sweden has slowly begun to gain momentum and popularity, particularly at the club level. More and more people of all ages and skill levels are becoming involved in rugby clubs throughout the country and currently there are 5 Stockholm rugby clubs.
The rugby clubs of Stockholm Rugby Association
* IF Attila RG – Bromma Västerort
* Erikslunds KF Rugby – Täby, Danderyd, Norrort
* Hammarby IF – Söderort
* Stockholm Exiles RFC – Årsta, Söderort, Innestaden
* Visby Rugby Club – Gotland
In this article we feature Sweden’s oldest active rugby club, IF Attila RG, an
d speak with club member and former coach of the ladies team, Julian Bevan, about watching and participating in the Attila rugby club.
Attila club consists of 4 separate leagues: Men’s and Women’s senior teams (A & B), the Old Boys team (+35 years) and Youth teams (competing in U19, U17 and U15 divisions). The men are coached by Australian, Michael Druitt, the ladies by South African, Rudy Marais and the youth by Scotsman, Nigel Matthews.
The club has enjoyed several recent successes as last year the Attila Men’s team won Div. 1 (Allsvenskan) and qualified to play in the top division in Sweden for the 2011 season. Attila also has three players who recently played in the international round against Denmark in the new Viking Tri-Nations and to top it off club member, Carina Trinh, has been selected to play for the Swedish national ladies squad.
This is all very impressive for a club that has no major sponsorship. Most of the funding to maintain the club’s pitch (field), pay fees, provide transportation, etc. comes from the players, members and private donations. “The club is basically one big family that just loves this sport,” says Julian. The club has regular meet-ups at their sponsor pub, the Liffey, in Gamla Stan.
Attila has an active Old Boys group that tours overseas every year as part of the Vintage Vikings team, with last year’s tour in Rottweil, Germany. The men’s and women’s team also have an international presence as last year the men’s team toured to Warsaw, Poland and the ladies to Cardiff, Wales. Every year the teams take part in the SM 7’s and Stockholm Tens tournaments.
But don’t let this clubs’ achievements intimidate you. Regardless of your age or skill level everyone is welcome to join the teams at any point during the year. In fact, at the moment the ladies team is actively recruiting new players. Each team holds weekly trainings on the clubs’ home pitch, Bromma Sportfält. The trainings begin with a touch rugby warm-up game that is open to everyone. “If people want to come along and just play touch rugby then they are welcome to do so. We would hope that they’d like to stay and train with the team, but we will encourage all types of rugby in the club. The ladies and men’s team often have mixed games when warming up with touch rugby….and the women often beat the men!” says Julian.
As for the youth teams, they train at Bromma as well. “Anyone interested in kiddies’ rugby should just ring or email the club and ask… or turn up! Everyone in the club would be happy to help you out,” explains Julian.
Team Training Times
Men’s team: Awaiting update (see www.attilarugby.com)
Ladies team: Tuesdays and Thursdays 18:00 to 20:00 Bromma Sportfält
Youth team: Wednesdays 19:00 to 21:00 (Indoor) Blackebergsskolan
Saturdays 10:00 to 12:00 (Outdoor) Bromma Rugby Plan
But for those of you who prefer to enjoy the game from the sidelines, you can find the game schedule at www.rugby.se. Entrance to Attila games is free, and although training is held in Bromma, the teams currently hold their games in Årsta, until the Bromma pitch can be properly restored from the long winter. There is a stand where spectators can sit, as well as a barbeque and drinks stand for people to grab a bite. “The crowds aren’t that big with the sport being a minor one in Sweden, but they are always friendly, vocal, and love the sport. Both teams’ supporters sit together in the stands and there are no issues. The rivalry is still there, but the fans seem to just get on with cheering their own team, have a bit of banter with the oppositions’ fans and enjoy the whole day,” describes Julian.
Upcoming Games
18-05-2011 19:00 Men’s Team IF Attila vs. Stockholm Exiles RFC at Årstafältet
02-06-2011 13:00 Ladies Team IF Attila vs. Enköpings RK at Årstafältet
Attila rugby club welcomes anyone interested in playing, supporting, coaching or participating as a referee (the rugby union can provide training for coaches and referees).
Links:
Stockholm Tens Rugby Tournament
By: Kristan Coleman
If you have any info regarding Attila Rugby Club or other rugby clubs in Stockholm please leave a comment below!
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