The First Moscow Dragons Team - January 1998

In the distant past, Russia was a barren land. It grew barely enough food for its masses. The summers were harsh and the winters harsher. Wild animals roved the streets, and no-one could settle on a decent form of government. Until 1997 ....

Failing to find the normal release from the burdens of their testosterone, a few rugby players decided to solve the problem. At the behest of one Brian McHale, with the support of many others, the word was spread - a rugby club was to be formed. From idea to realisation was a matter of days, and before long the Moscow Dragons RFC were off to Warsaw on their first tour.

Back at home, basking in the success of the club's existence, the guys were faced with freezing temperatures, over-consumption of vodka, over-friendly girls, nowhere to train, no equipment, (the list goes on). Nothing was enough, not even the crash of '98, to stop the club from existing and even growing.

Rugby had long been a popular sport in the Soviet Union, a bastion of the Armed Forces and factories alike, but was finding times tough in the new capitalist Russia.

The club's growth has contributed to the growth of the sport in the country, with many young Russians joining the club to get the benefit of regular training, focussed on developing their skills. We have toured both in Russia and abroad, with guys on trains for up to 48 hours just to get a match.

The Dragons now have more than 230 members from more than 17 different countries, although not all of them joined for the rugby. The club has a strong social side, with a constant calendar of events, usually involving substantial quantities of alcohol. Such events are usually devoted to raising money for charity or the development of the club.

To find out more about the club, contact us with your questions.