Rugby in Spain

I had a fantastic weekend. It was a weekend full of events that in the UK probably just wouldn’t occur. At 9am my son had a league football game. Where his team won 4:0 (he plays for San Agustin). We left the football grounds and pelted over to Alcobendas for his Rugby training, which starts at 11am. He also plays rugby for Alcobendas Club de Rugby. The club has about 250 children signed up in its school and is a great opportunity for them to learn the difference between exclusive and inclusive sports. As we expats now, Rugby is completely different to Football. There is a different level of respect and comradeship. In rugby everyone, from the supporter, to the grounds man is as important as the president and the star player. I love this aspect. Also importantly, the club is completely multinational. Nations represented include: Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, Scotland, England, Wales, Mexico, Argentina, Sweden, France, Italy and many other countries. It was my son’s birthday so we had a “piñata” and cake and the usual for all the children to share. It was great fun. After the party, some of us headed out to watch Spain V Canada. It was 15€ entry for adults, children were free. Then I invited 2 Portuguese and 3 Spanish people back to my house for food and wine. It was great fun

As you know, my emails need a gripe, a bone of contention or a complaint. Here is mine. Where was everyone at the international game. There must have been between 1000 and 2000 people at the game. Come on guys, support you national team, like Renfe do (a big thank you).

Spain is not naturally associated with rugby, but it is growing fast in popularity. I just mentioned the size of our club, and there are many more like it in Madrid and through the country. Rugby is getting presence on Canal + and is starting to get space in the press. Spain is coming up fast in the 7’s and I believe they were 4^th in the European championships. So the fan base is there, and there is certainly a lot of commitment at club level. Why not at a national level? I want to see the clubs filling buses of their kids and taking them down to watch the game (they get in free!!). I want to see people who will spend thousand of Euros to watch a qualifier in basketball or football, spending 15 Euros to see their national team play a very competitive Canada (I remember watching them beat Wales not so long ago).

National sports isn’t just about football and now Formula 1. Come and see your national rugby team. Get behind them, so they can invest more in training and structure. Spain can compete with Portugal, Romania and so on, but don’t. Please get involved and sit in front of a bar, in the sun, where it is 2€ a pint for beer and watch some international rugby. This goes for expats in Spain as well. You really are welcome to get involved at all levels. Look up your local club. Go along (it is free). If you can, play a bit of touch rugby. If you are fit and now how to play, give it a go. Take you kids. It is great fun, and I have some great memories of going on coaches with 100 children to Portugal to play some games and party a lot..

If you would like to know how to get involved, drop me an email. I will invite you along or point you to your closest club.

And Spaniards. Your football team is great, Fernando Alonso can drive (even if I don’t like him) and yes gasol can bounce a ball, but there is another team out there that bleeds for its country every match and doesn’t get noticed.

Marca, AS, please start writing some insightful articles. Start promoting rugby as much as you do synchronized swimming. If people do not know there is a team, how can they go and watch it!