We trust you have had a great summer and are looking forward to the new Gibraltar Rugby Season. Starting September 14th for the Age Grade Section at 10am, Europa Sports Park.
Europa Sports Park Update
We hope you’ve had a wonderful summer and are excited for the new season ahead. The Age Grade section will commence on September 14th at 10am at Europa Sports Park.
Over the past few months, you may have noticed significant changes at Europa Sports Park, our home ground. Following a meeting on August 21st with HM Government of Gibraltar (HMGoG) and members of the Rugby Board—the first official meeting between Rugby and Government since last year’s election—we can now share important updates.
The Gibraltar Football Association (GFA) will take over operational management of the playing field, along with the west stand, changing rooms, and the terrace outside the large function room overlooking the southern end of the field. The internal areas of the park, however, will be managed by the Gibraltar Sports and Leisure Authority (GSLA) from October 1st. We are assured that significant investment in the maintenance of the facility will be made, which the Rugby Board warmly welcomes.
That said, this change means the company in which Rugby was a stakeholder will no longer have any management responsibilities over the Europa Sports facility. The aim of our stakeholder involvement was to ensure unrestricted shared access to the pitch, alongside our fellow stakeholder, Cricket. This also allowed us to maintain an active clubhouse for our members, crucial for maximising the development of our sport and providing a social hub for all to enjoy.
Despite these changes, we have been reassured by HMGoG that Europa Sports Park remains Rugby’s home. Our social hub, the Rugby Club House, will continue to be licensed for our members, though the specific details of this arrangement are yet to be finalised. Similarly, the gym, which will be managed by GSLA, is still under review. Our main concern now is the loss of flexibility in scheduling, as we will have to request allocations from the GFA rather than being able to freely plan our fixtures and training.
Europa Sports Park Allocations
Thus far, the GFA has been accommodating regarding field allocations, but this is only the first season under the new arrangement. We are uncertain about future seasons and whether they will remain as flexible. There is currently no Service Level Agreement (SLA) in place, nor is there clarity on the process for addressing concerns or disputes regarding allocations.
For now, we can confirm that—except during international windows—our training schedule remains the same as last season: Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturdays from 10am to 1pm. Senior GRC fixture details will follow soon, with more information from Tom.
Town Hall Meeting – September 14th at 12:00
We understand that many of you have concerns regarding the developments at Europa Sports Park. To address these, we invite all active players, coaches, administrators, and parents of players to a Town Hall meeting on September 14th at 12:00 in the Rugby Members Room of our Club House. If you wish to raise specific questions, please submit them by September 6th, allowing us time to prepare answers. Coaches unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts will have the opportunity to discuss the developments at the next Coaches Meeting.
[Submit your questions here: https://forms.gle/Wr5BNwnzSsKjMdpb9]
Current Situation at Europa Sports Park
For years, Rugby has been promised a permanent home through manifesto commitments by all political parties. Despite this, there are four full-size pitches in Gibraltar—three managed by civilian authorities (two by the GFA and one by the GSLA) and one by the MOD at DTC—and none have been designated exclusively for Rugby. A dedicated home would allow us to set up socketed Rugby posts, proper line markings, and manage the pitch for Rugby throughout the entire season.
As it stands, Rugby has received no exclusive investment in facilities. Occasionally, we are provided with painted lines on a football pitch, but often these are paired with unsafe, makeshift Rugby posts that don’t meet World Rugby (WR) regulations. FIFA has confirmed that socketed posts on a UEFA-certified pitch are permissible, but this option has not been pursued by the GFA.
We also lack access to a Strength and Conditioning gym, a facility crucial for Rugby, as well as for other contact sports. This is especially concerning given the significant role a gym plays in training and injury prevention.
Gibraltar Rugby and the Local Economy
Gibraltar Rugby has consistently contributed to the local economy through its hosting of tours. Last year, we hosted over 20 tours, with each bringing an average of 30 players. For example, Rochdale Rugby Club visited with 79 tourists, and the Royal Marines Association brings 200-300 visitors annually. These tours generate substantial economic benefits, with estimates suggesting a contribution of approximately £200,000 per year. However, the closure of the stadium dormitories, which were specifically designed for sports tourism, limits our ability to continue hosting such events.
Human Resources at Gibraltar Rugby
Due to the ongoing uncertainties surrounding our home and the inability to fully develop our events and tours, we have had to make difficult decisions. Sadly, we have parted ways with Maria-Isabel at the end of last season, and Ricky is now working part-time as General Manager until March next year. We are redistributing workloads across the Board, but please bear with us as we navigate these changes.
Looking Forward
Despite the challenges, we remain optimistic about the future of Gibraltar Rugby. With better-maintained facilities and new additions to our team, including a student from Loughborough University and Alun Harries as our new part-time Technical Director, we look forward to continuing our success. We have exciting events ahead, such as national games against Denmark, youth fixtures, and the 10th anniversary of the Royal Marines fixture in September.
Our junior and youth sections remain strong, with over 200 players regularly attending sessions, and we are thrilled to welcome 10-15 players transitioning into the senior game this year.
Upcoming Gibraltar Rugby Key Dates:
- September 7th – Denmark vs Gibraltar National Game in Denmark
- September 14th – Age Grade start of season, Europa Sports Park at 10am
- September 14th – Town Hall, Members Room, Europa Sports Park at 12:00
- September 28th – Royal Marines game – Tickets are on sale here
Final Thoughts on World Rugby / Rugby Europe
We continue to receive valuable support from HMGoG in our pursuit of international recognition. If we were to achieve NOC recognition with the IOC, Gibraltar would automatically qualify for membership in both Rugby Europe and World Rugby. The case against Rugby Europe for wrongful denial of membership will be heard in the Paris Court of Appeal on January 15th, 2025.
Our first meeting with HMGoG was positive, and we are committed to working closely with them to safeguard our sport and future.
We look forward to seeing you on September 14th and encourage you to submit any questions for the Town Hall. Thank you for your continued support.
Best wishes,
Gibraltar Rugby
