Jerusalem Lions RFC
| Nickname(s) | Lions, Lionesses | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1970's | |
| Location | Jerusalem, Israel | |
| Chairman | Ziggi Silveman | |
| Coach(es) | Daniel Choen Sabban, Sergio Sandez | |
| League(s) | 2nd division | |
| ||
Jerusalem Lions RFC is an Israeli amateur rugby club based in Jerusalem.
History
The Jerusalem Lions RFC was founded in the 1970s by immigrants from South Africa and England. It was strongly associated with HUJI. In 1988 the collaboration with the university came to its end when the field was used for Israel's 50th anniversary celebrations. In 2004 the foundation for development of Rugby in Jerusalem was founded.[1]
In 2013 a visiting Argentinian organisation Rugby Without Borders organised a youth rugby match between Israeli children and Palestinian children. All of which had never played rugby before. The event was a success with over 100 children taking part. The event was jointly organised by the President of Israel; Shimon Peres.
The club today
The club today has both a men's team and a women's team. The club is composed of players from Kibutz Tzova, students, legacy players mostly from Argentina and foreigners working at the UN or as Journalists. Both men and women teams practice in Sacher Park(2000hrs) on Monday and Thursdays (located behind The Knesset).
The club is currently on social media.
There is a Facebook page for both the men's and women's team with contact details and training times with copious amounts of friendly banter.
A Twitter account is also present and can be found; @JerusalemRUFC
The men's team kit is a royal blue shirt, royal blue with yellow flash shorts and bright yellow socks. The kit is produced by Kukri in the UK. The shirt is currently sponsorless but a recent mutual agreement has been reached with a brewery in Bet Shemesh near Jerusalem named Shapiro beer. Shapiro Beer currently sponsor the training shirts.
Merchandise is not readily available but by contacting the club orders may be considered depending on available stock.
The men's team
The men's team play 15s (XVs) Rugby union in Israel's 2nd division together with Upper Galilee (Galil ole) team and Tel Aviv B Team. This year Jerusalem Lions RFC won the 2nd Division Championship after losing only one game and drawing one game. The team participates in all rugby 7's tournaments throughout the year.
Games are played on both Fridays and Saturdays. The team attracts a mixture of players from secular, religious and non religious players.
The women's team
The women's team play Rugby 7's in both the national league and the regional league. Each year the club makes a notable contribution to the national 7's team. Other women's teams are located in Haifa, Upper Galilee and Tel Aviv.
Many of the matches and tournaments are readily available for viewing on YouTube.
The club's future
Today the men's team is at a crossroad. After many years of success the club has had trouble recruiting players, this past year the team has been making a lot of effort and has built a strong foundation for this season. This season the club hopes to expand yet further and attain election to the National 1st Division. Also the club is looking for a permanent pitch to both practice and host games.This year the club opens an ASA team in the Hebrew university and starting again the fertile collaboration with the university. The club has started three youth teams. One in Beit hakerem, one in Tzoba and one in Nativ halamed hay. It is active in local schools introducing the sport to children who would otherwise not have an opportunity to taste the game.
Players of all standards and abilities are welcome to join; to play games or simply to socialise. Training is a good opportunity to undertake exertional physical exercise in a friendly and warm environment. Players who are curious and have never played before are more than welcome.
With the addition of a semi professional coach who has experience of international European rugby the future is bright.
Rituals
It is said that a Rugby match in Jerusalem has 3 halves. The first 2 played on the field and the 3rd "half" off the field, both teams drinking beer, eating BBQ and socialising. Post match the traditional ceremonies begin. The man of the match and the "shittiest player" are awarded their titles and prizes. Downing a beer in less than ten seconds. Higher than the highest mountain, deeper than the deepest sea. Is it a bird don't be absurd. is it a duck who gives a fu** it's... and then sing why was he born so beautiful...
References
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jerusalem-Lions-Rugby-Club-מועדון-רוגבי-אריות-ירושלים/166542783378857