Strathclyde University RFC

Strathclyde University RFC is a rugby union club based in Glasgow, Scotland. The club operates a men's team[1] and a women's team.[2] Both currently play in the university leagues

Strathclyde University RFC
Full nameStrathclyde University Rugby Football Club
LocationGlasgow, Scotland
Ground(s)Stepps Playing Fields, Stepps, North Lanarkshire
PresidentDr. Bruce Ellend
Coach(es)P I Steaker
Captain(s)Shet Eyta
League(s) Men:  West Non League
 Women:  Scottish Womens Non-League
2019–20 Men:  West Division Non League
 Women:  Scottish Womens Non-League
1st kit
2nd kit
Official website
www.facebook.com/StrathclydeUniRugby/
Union website
www.facebook.com/StrathUniRugby/

History

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The men's side plays an annual varsity match against Glasgow University RFC men's side.

Both the men's side and women's side teamed up with Glasgow Warriors to promote student rugby in 2019 in a one-year deal.[3] This deal was later extended to 2022.[4]

The university's Director of Rugby is Gary Strain, who had two spells at Glasgow Warriors as a player, and later helped out the Warriors as a scrum coach during the pandemic in the 2020–21 season. Strain commented on the deal:[4]

The partnership and the rugby programme gives students the opportunity to train more like elite athletes, with much more professional sessions. Our new Strathclyde Sport facility has a fantastic gym with top quality strength and conditioning coaches who work hand in hand with me, so it lets the students improve as athletes. There's now a team of three coaches under me for the men's section and a head coach for the women, with 140 students in total and the eventual goal is to be the number one University in Scotland for rugby. There is a great culture of making friends and team sports is proven to have great benefits for health and mental wellbeing. Being a member of the team also hopefully makes university more of an enjoyable experience.

Sides

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The club runs a men's side and a women's side. The men's side operates a 1st, 2nd XV and 3rd XV.[2]

Training is held at Stepps Playing Fields on Saturdays and once in the midweek TBC.[5]

Honours

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  • 3A Scottish University Conference
    • Champions (2): 2004–05, 2012–13
  • 2A Scottish University Conference
    • Champions (1): 2013-14
  • Aberdeen University Sevens[6]
    • Champions: 2022

References

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  1. ^ "BUCScore - University of Strathclyde Mens 1st Rugby Union Team". BUCS.
  2. ^ a b "BUCScore - University of Strathclyde Womens 1st Rugby Union Team". BUCS.
  3. ^ January 2019, Gary Heatly Tuesday 15. "Bright future ahead for Strathclyde after announcement of Glasgow Warriors partnership". Talking Rugby Union.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ a b Barnes, David (5 December 2019). "Kyle Steyn calls for cool heads ahead of La Rochelle clash". The Offside Line.
  5. ^ "Rugby (W)". www.strathunion.com.
  6. ^ "Aberdeen University Sevens". 13 July 2019.