History
Rugby in Gibraltar was established immediately after the Second World 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 1960s 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-1960s 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 minutes of Gibraltar. GRFC prospered within the local league and since 1985 with the exception of three 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 1980s 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 First Division regional teams in Andalusia.
The reduction in Military personal in 1991/1992 and the positive approach by the Andalusian Rugby Federation that uniquely kept politics out of sport meant that it became clear that the GFRC future was playing within the Andalusian League and the 1992/93 season saw GRFC fully integrated into the Second Division of Andalusia. 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 First 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 tournament Club section in 1996. Ireland won the national section.
By 2000, the retirement of a crop of players at the same time led to Campo Gibraltar dropping to the Second Division where they stayed until 2004/2005 when they promoted. In their first year in the First Division they ended up Third but the failure to produce a youth side meant that they were relegated to the Second Division.
Read more about this topic: Gibraltar Barbarians Rugby Football Club
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