Durango Rugby Taldea celebrates 40 years with 12 teams

Durango Rugby Taldea presented 200 players across 12 teams in Santa Ana square, marking the club’s 40th anniversary with local sponsors and municipal authorities in attendance. Club president Zorion Zabala reported that the organization fields three senior squads alongside a newly launched inclusive rugby project, covering every age category from school cohorts to veterans.

Forty Years of Grassroots Rugby in Durango

The Basque club supports four school-age groups, two development squads, three senior teams, an inclusive side, and a veteran roster. Zabala noted that the milestone year arrives with the club in good health, pointing to community backing from commercial partners such as Lasuen, Dromedario, Smurfit Westrock, Urgozo, and Ermarmotor.

Alongside traditional events like Movember and the annual club rugby day, Durango Rugby Taldea scheduled a dedicated celebration for June 5 featuring a communal meal and live musical performances.

Basque Club Maintains Strong Senior Player Numbers

Zabala highlighted the demographic makeup of the senior ranks, pointing out that few clubs in the Basque Country maintain 54 registered players in senior men’s rugby and 32 players in the senior women’s division composed of people from the town. Women’s senior coach Virginia Sagarduy, working alongside Iñigo Barrenetxea, enters her second season at the helm with a 32-player roster. Sagarduy stated that the board aimed to increase community visibility, which has brought in 12 new female players, alongside veteran returns such as Antxon Iriondo from high-level División de Honor competition.

Captains Eli Piedra and Elaia Abecia expressed optimism ahead of the upcoming fixtures, noting the integration of new squad members. The women’s senior team opens its league campaign this Sunday against Donostia Rugby at 12:00 local time at the Arripausueta facility.

Coach Ricardo Acosta Retains 50 Men's Players

On the men’s side, coach Ricardo Acosta—known in the club as ‘Fisa’—returns for his second season. Acosta reported that the squad retains 50 players distributed across two men’s teams, incorporating recent graduates from the under-18 division and returning players who had previously stepped away from the sport.

The men’s team opens its league schedule against Eibar at 16:45 local time, with Acosta emphasizing that promotion should serve as recognition for consistent training by players balancing local employment and studies. Longtime club member Aitor Iriondo added that the presence of two distinct senior teams ensures playing time for all participants, while reinforcing ties with players who previously departed for higher-tier regional clubs such as Getxo, Gernika, and Ordizia.