The all English sport of rugby is coming to Dubrovnik. Rugby Club “Gladiator” Dubrovnik is a newly formed club and is on the lookout for new players. The club will hold training for new members this Saturday the 20th of February in Cavtat at 10 o’clock and everyone is welcome.

The founder of the Gladiator Rugby Club is Ante Stojan, who has played the game at a high level since he was 13 years old. Speaking to The Dubrovnik Times he said that “I first saw the game when I was living in Zagreb and fell in love with it.” He then went on to play for clubs in Croatia, including the Croatian National Rugby Team, before spending a year in New Zealand, one of the powerhouses of modern rugby, where he learnt even more about the sport.

“There is plenty of interest in Croatia, with clubs up and down the country. As we are only just starting out we need to judge the interest in Dubrovnik,” added Stojan.

This isn’t the first time that rugby has been played in the Dubrovnik region. A few years ago an exhibition match was organised at the Lapad sports stadium between a team from Croatia and a lower league club from England.

“Rugby is a new Olympic sport, a team sport that has room for everyone, we welcome all those interested, and of course no previous experience is necessary,” concluded Stojan. The first ever training will be held at 10 o’clock in Cavtat this Saturday and anyone interested can contact the club through their Facebook site.

Gladiator Rugby Club has plans to bring international coaches from other Croatian clubs and professional trainers with international experience. Although the first training will be held in Cavtat the club intend to find suitable conditions to move the club to a ground in Dubrovnik in the near future.