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Events on the Coast

Veterans Rugby Tournament

One of the highlights of Marbella Rugby Club?s season, the Marbella
International Veterans Tournament will be held at the Bahia de Marbella
Ground opposite the Hospital Costa del Sol from April 30 ? May 3. Now in its
12th year, the action promises to be fast, fun and what?s more, free to
watch! Teams from across Europe and beyond will take part in a three-day
festival of rugby and other events, including a golf tournament. And, of
course, the visiting teams will be able to enjoy some of the Marbella
Veterans? legendary hospitality, including a welcome BBQ and prize giving
gala dinner and dance and a beach party the day after the competition.? The
tournament is also aiming to raise money for Marbella RFC?s successful youth
teams.

The action will get underway on Thursday April 30 with a golf tournament
held at the fabulous Atalaya Golf Club. The teams will then be able to enjoy
a welcome BBQ and prize giving at the club. The first matches start at 10am
on Friday. Although the emphasis on Vets rugby is fun and friendship off the
pitch, as in previous years the games themselves promise to be highly
competitive and entertaining. This year teams are competing from Belgium,
Portugal, Morocco and the UK, as well as Spanish sides, including Marbella
and the Costa Barbarians. This year will also see new champions, as Esher
RFC, last year?s victors, have been unable to defend their title due to
other commitments.

The action finishes on Sunday night with a Gala dinner and prize giving at
the club, and players and their partners will be able to let their hair down
at the disco after the dinner! Sunday will give the players time to recover
with a beach party

Gerry Atteck, spokesman for the Marbella International Veterans Tournament
commented ?We?re really looking forward to the competition. As well as
having a high standard of teams from around Europe, we?ll be having lots of
fun off the pitch, and it?s a great opportunity for the vets to give
something back to Marbella RFC.

Veterans? rugby is a similar to the normal game, with just a few rule
changes. All players must be over 35, each match lasts 15 minutes each way
and there are uncontested scrums. There is also no kicking outside of the
22, conversions, quick takes from free kicks or penalty kicks at goals.

?The standard of play is very high? continues Gerry ?There are a lot of
players in these teams who have previously played the game at a very high
level and they?ve kept themselves in shape. But they?re still able to switch
of after the games and enjoy a beer or two, especially at Saturday night?s
Gala, which is a stormer!? he grins

2009 marks a landmark year for Marbella Rugby Club as it celebrates its 20th
anniversary. Open to players of all standards and nationalities ? with a
large contingient of English and Argentinean players (the later group also
being in charge of the excellent south American - style BBQ the club is
equally famous for) Marbella Rugby Club runs teams from the under 5s to over
35s, and each Saturday sees over 100 children training as well as competing
in various regional leagues and tournaments. The club is also always on the
lookout for those willing to help with other aspects of the club, including
coaching, helping at the club shop and, of course, manning the beer pump!

For further information, please contact 607 502 311
www.marbellarugbyclub.com

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