Southerners Sports Club (Bangkok)

Southerners Sports Club logo featuring a Kiwi, Springbok and Kangaroo

The Southerners Sports Club is an informal, non-commercial Bangkok-based club of expats and Thais. The Southerners field teams in Bangkok's local rugby, netball, touch rugby (men's, women's and mixed) and cricket competitions, and also tour to neighbouring countries for regional-based sports tournaments.

The club aims to provide a relaxed atmosphere in both sporting and social contexts.

History

In October 1994, New Zealand Rugby side Taradale RFC were looking to tour Thailand and play in a four-way rugby sevens tournament alongside teams from Thailand, Guam and Taiwan. A group of Australians and New Zealanders, on seeing they could field a sevens side, agreed to help organize the tournament, entering a Thailand team they decided to call "The Southerners".

Former New Zealand All Black Zinzan Brooke, who was in Bangkok doing a TV commercial for Thai Airways, was co-opted by the fledgling Southerners team to compete in the inaugural game. Coincidentally, Taradale RFC also featured All Black Dallas Seymour in their team list. The competition proved a success with Taradale edging out the Southerners to win the tournament.

The Southerners were later officially established on 3 November 1994 when the Club's registration was accepted by the Thai Rugby Union and were approved to enter the British Council Cup Competition (Division 1).

In September 2005, the Ambassadors to Thailand of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom sponsored the 'Ambassadors Cup', a three-match rugby series between the Southerners Sports Club and the British Club.[1]

The Southerners Sports Club has been sponsored by Crown Worldwide Group since 2001.

Club milestones

Rugby section

The foundation team for the Southerners Sports Club, the rugby section has become a magnet for both experienced players, as well as non-players and those with backgrounds in Gaelic and Australian Rules Football, rugby league and wrestling.

Southerners compete yearly in the Thailand Rugby Union competition, as well as in local and international rugby tournaments spanning 7's, 10's and 15's formats. The Southerners recently competed in the 2008 Bangkok International 7s[2][3] and 2009 Bangkok International 10's Rugby competitions.[4]

Netball section

The Southerners netball section competes in the Bangkok Netball League, having had strong success in the League, as well as in local and international tournaments and the Thai National Championships.

Touch rugby section

Sporting women's, men's and mixed teams, the Southerners touch rugby section competes in local and international touch rugby tournaments and holds intra-club touch rugby games most weekends in Bangkok.

The original Southerners touch team was known as the "Southern Soul Sisters".[5]

Cricket section

The Southerners currently field two teams, one in each of the two Bangkok Cricket League grades, as well as a third team for ad-hoc social matches.[6]

Southerners' cricket section competes in approximately ten to twelve games in a season, played during the cooler, drier months of November–April, with the final series played around March–April.

Diversity

Membership of the Southerners has included players from Thailand, Germany, Japan, Ireland, Switzerland, the UK, USA, Australia, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada.

Results & achievements

Rugby

Netball

Touch rugby

Cricket

Social

The Southerners are known in Bangkok expat circles as being an inclusive, relaxed and extremely social club. In addition to regular weekend gatherings and local and international sports tours, the Southerners hold organised annual events including the Southerners Ball, Khao San Road Tour and Southerners Race Day.

Founding members

Prominent current and former club members

Club houses

The Southerners' first club house was located in the upstairs area of the Moonshine Bar. Due to the location of the Moonshine Bar, the Southerners changed their base to Delaney's Pub, then changed again to 'The Bat Cave' in The Londoner Brew Pub on Sukhumvit Soi 33. The Southerners recently signed a new sponsorship deal with The Clubhouse on Sukhumvit Soi 23 that has meant this is our new home.

References

  1. ↑ The Nation, 'Founding clubs battle it out, 4 September 2005
  2. ↑ The Bangkok Post, 'Bangkok International Rugby Sevens feast', 31 October 2008
  3. ↑ Results of 2008 Bangkok International Sevens, http://www.bangkoksevens.com/results/in-full/
  4. ↑ The Bangkok Post, 'Top teams get off to a winning start in Bangkok Rugby 10s', 22 February 2009
  5. ↑ Southerners Touch Section - History, http://www.southerners-bangkok.com/touch.html
  6. ↑ Bangkok Cricket League - Clubs, http://www.bangkokcricketleague.com/common/pages/public/iv/clubs.aspx?
  7. ↑ Rugby in Asia chronicle, 'Rhinos win Angkor tens without conceding a single point', 28 October 2009
  8. ↑ The Bangkok Post, 'Sailors rally to capture RBSC trophy', 2 February 2009
  9. ↑ The Nation, 'Tomahawks are champions', 28 February 2007
  10. ↑ The Bangkok Post, 'Etihad claim cup in thrilling final', 28 October 2008

External links

Sports links

Media reports

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