Asian Rugby Clubs

The Lahore Rugby Football Club ‘LRFC’ came into existence in the summer of 1991. At that time a large contingent of expatriates were present in Lahore working for Multinational Companies, Foreign Mission and Aid Agencies. These Rugby enthusiasts with the help of some Pakistanis who also had prior exposure to the sport started as to what now represents LRFC. A similar situation also existed in Islamabad and Karachi. Therefore, from the outset all these clubs started a regular exchange of Rugby fixtures and an annual Pakistan Rugby Sevens also evolved from their regular exchanges.

The presence of skilled expatriate players in the team lent support in reconstitution and training of more local players and later as the expatriate population in Lahore waned due to the political-cum-economic scenario of the country, LRFC was able to maintain a steady stream of local players. By 1995/6 LRFC boasted of a full contingent of local Rugby players and has maintained this status since.

The reduction in the expatriate members in the game at that stage although did impact the club in gaining access to much needed sponsorship which was more forthcoming during their presence. Lahore though maintained an active calendar each season due to hard work and dedication of its members. The club started to expand its horizons by participating in regional tournaments in the Gulf and South Asia and became a regular participant at the prestigious Annual Dubai Rugby Sevens event besides participating twice at the Sharjah 10’s. The club has also traveled to India and Sri Lanka and has hosted teams from Sri Lanka and India in tournaments organized at Lahore.

Lahore also successfully introduced an annual Rugby 10’S Tournament of its own. The club consists of playing members from various walks of life ranging from Students to Business Executives that have come together for the love of the sport. Since 1995 the club holds its training sessions and tournaments at these venues: Defense L-Block Stadium, Garrison Academy and The Punjab Stadium. Since 2001 LRFC is also the member of the Pakistan Rugby Union (PRU) the representative body of the sport in Pakistan which in turn is an Associate Member of the IRB and is determined to developing the sport in various educational institutions in the city including the Lahore University of Management Sciences and the Garrison Academy.