Gibraltar Rugby Football Club was established immediately after the War. After the repatriation of displaced Gibraltarians locals who had learnt to play rugby either at English Schools or whilst being in the forces started to play the resident teams from the Army, Navy and RAF in a pitch in neighbouring Spain (given the lack of grass pitches in Gibraltar).
Initially it would be fair to say that the military sides were dominant but by the 60's the Latin flair which became a trade mark of Gibraltar's style of rugby became evident and it is fair to say that GRFC became the dominant force in the area.
A local league consisting of GFRC, Army, Navy and RAF was set up in the mid 60's which added a more structured and competitive framework within which to play.
The closure of the land frontier between Gibraltar and Spain in 1968 saw local rugby diminish in popularity but fortunately tag Rugby ensured that it did not entirely disappear. In 1985 the land frontier re-opened and with it the local league once again became an important part of Gibraltar's weekly sporting calendar with games being played in Spain on grass pitches mostly located within 15 mins of Gibraltar.
GRFC prospered within the local league and since 1985 with the exception of 3 years when the Duke of Wellington Regiment were posted to Gibraltar the GRFC won the league year after year. Games against Spanish sides during the 1980's were played on a friendly basis primarily against sides from Seville and Madrid. Spanish rugby grew in popularity and by 1990 the GRFC began to struggle against premier league sides but enjoyed very competitive games against 1st division regional teams in Andalucia.
The reduction in Military personal in 1991/1992 and the positive approach by the Andalucian Rugby Federation that uniquely kept politics out of sport meant that it became clear that the GFRC future was playing within the Andalucian League and the 1992/93 season saw GRFC fully integrated into the 2nd division of Andalucia. Players from forces sides joined the GRFC and by 1994 the GFRC were at their strongest historically. In that same year the GRFC were promoted to the 1st division almost winning it in the first year.
Throughout this period the GRFC toured regularly entering tournaments in Spain and Portugal with considerable success both at 15's and 7's. The highlight was winning the Benidorm 7's tournerment Club section in 1996. Ireland won the national section.
By 2000 the retirement of a crop of players at the same time led to GRFC dropping to the 2nd division where they stayed until 2004/05 when they were once again promoted. In their first year in the 1st division they ended up 3rd but the failure to produce a youth side meant that in 2006/07 the GRFC were once again placed in the 2nd division. This year the GRFC won the league title and managed to organise a youth side so next year it will return to its rightful place in division 1. |
