S.L. Benfica (rugby union)

Benfica
Full nameAssociação SLB Rugby
UnionPortuguese Rugby Federation
Founded4 October 1924
(100 years ago)
 (1924-10-04)
LocationLisbon, Portugal
Ground(s)Lisbon University Stadium[1]
Coach(es)António Moura Dias
Rassie van Vuura[2]
League(s)Campeonato Português de Rugby
2023–24Campeonato Português de Rugby, 3rd place
Team kit
Official website
www.slbenfica.pt/pt-pt/modalidades/rugby

Sport Lisboa e Benfica (Portuguese pronunciation: [sɨˈpɔɾ liʒˈβoɐ i βɐ̃jˈfikɐ] ), commonly known as Benfica, is a Portuguese rugby union team based in Lisbon. Founded in 1924, Benfica is one of the oldest Portuguese rugby teams. The men's team competes in the Campeonato Português de Rugby, the first tier of rugby union in Portugal. In June 2014, the club refused the invitation to join the first division.[3] The women's team play in the Campeonato Nacional, the first tier, but recent changes in the competition mean they only compete in Sevens.

Benfica currently hold home games at the Lisbon University Stadium, while their youth teams play at the Pupilos do Exército, near Colégio Militar in Lisbon. Benfica hoped to secure a rugby field in Oeiras, in a 20-year rental, but the project never materialized. It was supposed to have a grass field capable of international matches, plus two synthetic fields for youth development, three football fields for Under-12, a 2,000 people stand and additional logistical support.[4]

Benfica once had a Portuguese international in their team, Diogo Gama, who represented Portugal at the 2007 World Cup.

  1. ^ "Base é agora no Estádio Universitário" [Base is now at the University Stadium]. S.L. Benfica (in Portuguese). 18 September 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  2. ^ Rugby SL Benfica
  3. ^ "Rugby: Projecto do SL Benfica segue rumo sustentado". S.L. Benfica. 27 June 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  4. ^ "Rugby em Oeiras" [Rugby in Oeiras]. CM Oeiras. 17 February 2009. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2012.