About the Kuşadası Eagles

Former Newbold-On-Avon R.F.C player Ray Rees retired to the Aegean costal town of Kuşadası in Turkey to enjoy the laid back lifestyle and long warm summers.

Not much was missing from his life, but the game of rugby football kept recurring on his mind and the special friendships made during his long rugby career, it was time for action, so together with other die hard rugby enthusiasts John Fitzgerald, Kieran Gormly, Tony Lovell, Brian "The Ref" Morrisey and with a local involvement… The Kuşadası Rugby Club was born and an invitation rugby festival took place that first year, a selection of local players with teams from England and the Netherlands taking part in a fun filled festival.

Interest and support has grown since and the club enjoys a real following from local and expats alike, our short term aim is to promote Rugby Football, to create and develop a team to represent Kuşadası, we will hold an annual (Fun In The Sun) Festival of Rugby in Kuşadası with invitations to clubs Foreign and Local, including University teams from Istanbul and Ankara to take part in 15 a-side, 7-a side and beach rugby and to show our guests the wonderful hospitality, and generous nature of the Turkish People.

In the medium term we will apply for membership of the Rugby Union league that is presently been formed here in Turkey, although the travel distances will be quite a challenge in such a large country. In the long term we will strive to take our team on tour to other countries to further develop their rugby experience. On tour we hope to make new friends and promote greater understanding of different cultures through the game of rugby.

Eventually in time a full Turkish National side will evolve, we would hope to have some of our players representing Kusadasi on the national team playing at international level against some of the more established nations.

In short rugby is not a well known sport in Turkey but slowly more and more interest is developing, the game and it ethos has a lot to offer us here in Turkey and will in itself benefit from the hospitality, generosity, pride and passion of the Turkish people.

We are now the world's newest rugby football club, we are in our infancy and have many hurdles to cross, we would be deeply grateful for any support we receive, be it financial or practical, even Rugby balls are not readily available in this country as with other related equipment. We are endeavouring to acquire our own rugby grounds in the next few years in this regard, we ask you to look at our membership page and if you feel you would like to become a member of our club your support would be greatly appreciated and your subscription will be wisely used.

… Join us Now…and we thank you in advance…

The committee of Kusadasi Eagles Rugby Club