When? May 14-20 | Event? Rugby Club 40th anniversary | Venue? Bahrain RFC

Not just a sporting venue; this club has become a base for friendship, a place of celebration and a guaranteed good night out. So let’s observe its anniversary in style!

Legendary for its high caliber matches, all-night parties and steak nights, the Bahrain Rugby Football Club (Bahrain RFC) is a second home to many of the Kingdom’s residents, particularly the expat community. This month, the club celebrates 40 years of event-hosting by, of course, planning a week-long repertoire to outshine anything prior.

In 40 years members have come and gone, the management team has changed regularly and the venue itself has grown and developed, and currently the club stands stronger than ever with almost 2,000 members revved up for May’s activities.

“Hundreds of people are expected to attend the events throughout the week, including many of the current members as well as former members and long-time friends from the UK, Ireland and all around the Gulf,” says Bahrain RFC president Jonty Crosse.

Events will be held almost every day of the week, and include a vast range of activities that everyone can partake in.

“The celebrations will kick off with a welcome reception and curry supper. This evening will also see the unveiling of a special honours board, recognising over 120 international players who have visited the club,” Jonty explains. “Also on the agenda is a Golden Oldies Rugby fixture, followed by a BMMI Schützenfest and live music from the Dubai-based Declan O’Sullivan, aka the Paddyman,” he continues.

Another match will be played on May 18 between the DHL Barbarians and the Bahrain RFC. “A number of ex-international players have been lined up to travel to Bahrain for the week, and will lace up their boots in the DHL Memorial game, with the vast majority of them having tasted the club’s hospitality before.”

For a more glamorous evening, guests can attend the 40th anniversary end-of-season-ball and the week will be wrapped up with a farewell pool party, complete with Hawaiian shirts and Caribbean cocktails.

“The main aim of the anniversary party is to bring former members, current members and friends of Bahrain RFC together to celebrate the club’s successes, achievements and overall contribution to the development of the game and the local community through the years,” Jonty outlines. “We have hosted significant events in the last 40 years, including the famouss Leicester RFC team in the early 1980s and the fixture of the British Airways Invitational.”

However, despite all of the club’s achievements, Jonty deems the greatest triumph to be the pure growth of the Bahrain RFC. “All the trophies we have accumulated are obviously among the highlights but looking back I think it’s fantastic to see how far we’ve come from such small beginnings. I never thought I would still be playing rugby at this age but I’m out on the pitch with guys in their 40s, 50s and even 60s playing for the Golden Oldies and still enjoying it and I think that can be attributed to the friendships and the camaraderie that make this club what it is,” Jonty concludes. Here’s to another 40!

Call 17 695-809.