Sicilian club welcomed to Bolton
The journey marks the Italian players’ first trip out of Mafia impacted city
Briganti di Librino rugby club in the Sicilian city of Catania is based on a 1970s unfinished housing estate, where the mafia still operates. Among their challenges is having the criminal group torching the clubhouse, burning out the minibus and intimidating young players.
A community club set up in 2006 to keep teenagers off the streets and away from organised crime, the club’s values don’t sit well with the mafia. And when members at Bolton rugby club read of the loss of their minibus in the Times they offered to make a donation.
Before long a strong bond was formed between the clubs and because Briganti really wanted to take some of their most disadvantaged youngsters on a tour, Bolton agreed to host and pay for 50 young Brigands and their coaches to fly over.
“Not one of the young people coming over had ever left Italy before, none had a passport and had little or no chance of leaving the city without this opportunity. They have all been taking English lessons so they can say thank you, it’s extremely heart-warming and we know we will make friends for life.”
Also at the celebratory fun day was RFU President, Nigel Gillingham who said: “To celebrate Bolton’s 150th Anniversary with them, and to see the camaraderie and bond between the two clubs was fantastic. To witness the young Brigands enjoying the friendship and hospitality offered by Bolton was quite moving. This is a wonderful example of rugby’s values. This visit will make a real difference to the lives of the young Sicilian players. It was a privilege and inspiring to be there, and I wish both the Bolton and the Briganti clubs the very best for the future, as they continue to develop this relationship.”
They arranged sponsorship with a number of local businesses including KBS Corporate, a financial services firm based in Bolton, and The Flower Bowl, an entertainment complex based in Garstang, Lancashire. They have also been supported with the costs of the trip by Blackpool Pleasure Beach and a number of generous donations from private individuals.
The itinerary included a trip to see Sale Sharks train, a day out at Blackpool and attending Bolton’s 150th day celebration as guests of honour. Now in their 150th season, Bolton Rugby Club are one of a dozen or so still in existence
who were formed in 1872, a year after the RFU. Earlier this year they played Southport RUFC in a rerun of both clubs’ very first fixture in 1872. Both are still in the same league
A packed programme of fun and friendship
Briganti are becoming widely known in the rugby world, featuring on the front cover of Sports International, and in many other papers, including the Times. The young players had not left Sicily before their trip but, after a packed programme of fun events, they ran out onto the pitches at the Avenue Street clubhouse to applause from the fans. They enjoyed a huge welcome barbecue at the club on arrival and their stay in England’s north west coincisded with Bolton’s 150th celebration fun day, with three games for the U13s, U15s, and a seniors male team, with guests appearing from local female teams too.
Said Mark Brocklehurst, Bolton chair: “In my many years of playing rugby I have never encountered more passion for rugby union than with the Brigands, they are absolutely rugby mad and live and breathe the sport and all the good that it has done for them.
