Join a rugby team in Barcelona

Sport, in recent years, has been dominated by football in Spain. The sport has gained much interest locally and worldwide, becoming a large industry, particularly in Barcelona, where the largest venue for this (Camp Nou) is situated. More traditional sports, such as bull-fighting and fencing have perhaps been pushed aside to make way for this game from England. Another style of football, rugby football has also become of interest to some of the cities inhabitants, especially as the number of British expats is on the rise.

What is it?

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Rugby football is a type of game which originated in a school in the town of Rugby in Warwickshire, England. It is played with an oval ball which may be kicked, carried and passed from hand to hand with points (tries) being scored by grounding the ball behind an opponent’s goal line. There are two main types of rugby – rugby league and rugby union, both having a different set of rules.

Related article: Barcelona for sports fans

Want to play?

The main team in Barcelona is FC Barcelona rugby, who play Rugby Union rules at a professional level. But there are some smaller teams within the complex that are always open to new members.

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One of these teams is the Barcelona universitari club, situated on Camí de la Foixarda, at Montjuic. They have equipment and training for all ages and level of ability, with seniors meeting Monday, Wednesday and Friday 20:30 – 22:30, women meeting on the same days 20:00 – 22:00, 18 year olds meeting on Wednesdays and Fridays 19:00 – 22:30 and children meeting Monday and Wednesday from 18:00 – 20:00. They also have touch rugby meetings on Monday and Friday 19:00 – 21:00, and general training sessions at the weekends.

Please email: secretaria@buc.cat for more info.

If you fancy something that is not quite so physical there is also a touch rugby meet-up based in Barcelona at UB campus sports, Av. Diagonal. They usually meet up on a Wednesday evening and have training and games for males and females of all ages and levels of ability. Please email: touchbcn@gmail.com for more info.

Other events

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As well as the regular team meet ups to be a part of there is also a yearly Barcelona rugby festival which takes place 70km north of the city in the town of Lloret. Now in its 8th year, it will be held between 30th September and 2nd October 2016. The festival has both social and competitive tournaments for both men and women. Please email: info@barcelonarugbyfestival.com for more info.