Tirana Rugby Club

Klubi Regbisë Tirana

Full name	Klubi Regbisë Tirana
Nickname(s)	Klubi Regbisë Tirana KR Tirana Tirana RC
Founded	August 2013
Location	Tiranë, Albania
Ground(s)	Kompleksi Dinamo
Chairman	Xhino Drangu
Coach(es)	Adam Vernon
Captain(s)	Girsjan Priska
Team kit
Official website
facebook.com/tiranarugbyclub

Active branches of KF Tirana
Football (Men's)	Football (Women's)	Football (B team)	Football (Youth)
Futsal	Basketball	Volleyball (Men's)	Volleyball (Women's)

Tirana Rugby Club (Albanian:Klubi Regbisë Tirana) are a rugby union team based in Tiranë, Albania. Established in August 2013, they are the first and oldest rugby team in Albania.^[1][2][3]

Pre-foundation

In 2011, there were only few guys who decided to promote rugby as another sport in Albania. The first match was on 4 August 2013, with the participation of some of Tirana Rugby Club players and some immigrants from Italy. The promotional event was held at Selman Stërmasi Stadium.

History

In August 2013 Tirana RC was officially founded from some guys who simply had the desire to offer something more than the existing sports in the country. It was created for something different, more adrenaline, more contact. The beginnings and creation of a compact squad was not easy due to absence of popularity of this sport, which made the approach and recruitment very difficult. Xhino Drangu and Adam Vernon were two guys who worked hard to establish the first steps of the game which then made the recruitment easier. More new players joined the club. Drangu has had 5 years experience in the United Kingdom. He became the first coach in 2013. He helped players start understanding and play genuine rugby.

As years went on, squad became more solid and was able to play friendlies. The first one was played against Kosovo Roosters RC in 2013. In 2014, Adam Vernon became the second coach of the team. He is of English origin and has played rugby in high levels, semi or full professional. The second friendly was again played against Kosovo Roosters RC in Tirane. In beginning of 2015, club submitted the necessary application in court, in order to become officially recognized. Registration was made possible and club got the status of a non-profit organization. Same year, along with rugby, club took part at the first cricket game in Albania. This was mediated from members of the British Embassy in Albania and of Crown Agents.

In 2015, club took part in a tournament organized in Kosovo with the participation of 3 clubs: Tirana RC (Albania), Kosovo Roosters RC (Kosovo) and Kibubu RC (Belgium). Tirana RC ranked third in the end of the event. Same year two more friendlies were played against RK Podgorica (Montenegro), a very experienced team with many players part of Montenegro National Team. First match was played in Albania and second one in Montenegro and despite the heavy defeats, served as necessary tests and experience for Tirana's young players. As Tirana RC was gaining more experience and connections with other clubs, the plan of a Nationwide Cup was soon materialized. It was named "Skenderbe Cup" and there were only two participants; Tirana RC and Kosovo Roosters RC. It consisted of three matches within a year and the winner of two matches would be the victor. Other Albanian and Kosovan clubs were free to join the event. First match was played in 28 November 2015 and was won by Tirana RC with a score 24-10. Second match is due to be played in Pristina in April.

Future plans

With Tirana RC growing with new members and gaining more experience, club is planning to arrange friendlies with stronger rivals. The main goal of Tirana RC is development of rugby as a new sport in Albania and, as the first and only rugby squad has the obligation to disseminate it further. The other goal is assisting and cooperating on the creation of other rugby teams in the country.

An important step in the establishment of relations with international clubs is twinning with two Italian clubs, Aquila and Gran Sasso. Club is attempting on organizing events and matches in the future.

Current Roster

Number	Nationality	Name	Surname	Position
1		Girsjan	Priska	Loose head prop
2		Aurel	Gjeloshi	Hooker
3		Ditmar	Halla	Tighthead prop
4		Gjergji	Bitani	Second Row
5		Serxho	Hatibi	Second Row
6		Kein	Turdiu	Blind side Flanker
7		Arnaldo	Telo	Open side Flanker
8		Andi	Bejo	Number 8
9		Luigi	Sciorio	Scrum-half
10		Olban	Llapaj	Fly half
11		Ardit	Suka	Left Wing
12		Cristian	Kondi	Inside centre
13		Indrit	Murgu	Outside centre
14		Jon	Gajo	Right Wing
15		Mariglen	Nezaj	Full Back
16		Orest	Bala	Tighthead prop
17		Fabian	Thanasaj	Second Row
18		Edvi	Muça	Loose head prop
19		Aldo	Kushta	Tighthead prop
20		Adam	Vernon	Fly half
21		Silvio	Cela	Full Back
22		Oğulcan Yiğit	Şatıroğlu	Number 8
23		Dajan	Shatraj	Right Wing

Current coaching staff

Position	Name
Club President	Xhino Drangu
Head Coach	Adam Vernon
Interior Coordinator	Ditmar Halla
Exterior Coordinator	Mariglen Nezaj
Accountant	Kein Turdiu
Marketing	Andi Bejo
Director of Albania Rugby	Marty Lustiano

References

1. Tirana Regbi Klub kthen sportin e munguar në kryeqytet
2. Skuadra e pare e rugby-t ne Shqiperi
3. Rugby, l'incontro tra il Tirana Rugby Club e alcuni appassionati aquilani