Established in Librino on the outskirts of Catania in 2006, Briganti Librino RUFC operate several Junior and Senior teams as well as Women’s teams at multiple age groups. The Seniors compete in a Sicily wide League.
Having spotted in The Times Tom Kington’s article about the recent attacks on the Sicilian club, Bolton Rugby Club reached out to offer our support. The attacks on the club are thought to be co-ordinated by the local mafia clan who control the areas drugs trade.
Attacks started in 2018, when the clubhouse was burnt to the ground. It was replaced after a fundraising campaign. However in April this year “someone" broke down the armoured clubhouse door at the Briganti club and stole equipment, they returned weeks later and set fire to its team bus.
After connecting with Briganti on Twitter, Bolton Rugby Club are now looking at how both clubs can build on this exciting new friendship and support their local communities.
With Bolton's 150th celebrations starting in 2022, we hope to fundraise jointly with Briganti to enable several of their teams, Junior and Senior, to visit us.
Bolton Chairman, Mark Brocklehurst explained that “the Rugby family stretches far and wide across the world and will always stand up against all forms of anti social behaviour. When we read about the situation faced by Briganti we knew immediately that we had to reach out and try to help. The prospect of some of their teams visiting us, and vice versa is extremely exciting! For the people of Librino rugby offers an alternative to a potential life of crime on the streets, if we can help Briganti by offering a glimmer of hope then amazing things can happen, what better motivator for Bolton to get involved.”