Rugby union in Syria

Rugby union in Syria
Rugby union in Syria
Country	Syria
Governing body	Syrian High Rugby Committee
National team(s)	Syria
Nickname(s)	Eagles
First played	1982
Registered players	200
Clubs	5
Club competitions
	Syrian Rugby Championship
International competitions
	Asia Rugby Championship; Asia Rugby Women's Championship; Asia Rugby Sevens Series; Asia Rugby Women's Sevens Series; West Asian Sevens

Rugby union in Syria is a minor but growing sport. Rugby was first introduced to the country by French and British forces, as well as by Syrian expatriates returning from the diaspora.^[1]

History

Rugby was played in Syria under a French mandate when it was brought to the country by Allied troops after the 1941 invasion.^{[citation needed]}

Touch rugby was played in Damascus since 1982.^{[citation needed]}

Rugby union was introduced to Syria by the French and the British in 2004, started to grow by inviting the Syrians to play and join the team to participate in region tournaments in the Middle East.^[1]

The Syrian High Rugby Committee was formed by the Syrian Sports Council in March 2012 and as the President of the Syrian Committee was appointed Ahmad Madani, although rugby has been played in the country for a longer period of time.^{[citation needed]} Syrian Rugby became a member of Asia Rugby in May 2015.^[2] The SHRC was accepted as associated member of World Rugby in November 2022.^[3]

Competitions

The Syrian Rugby League Championship has been run by the General Sports Federation since 2012.^{[citation needed]}

As of 2021^[update], the league comprised five teams: Zenobians (formed in 2004), IUST Palmerians (2015), AIU Alphas (2015), Victory (2012), and Titans.^[1]^[4]