S.L. Benfica (rugby union)

Sport Lisboa e Benfica, commonly known as Benfica, is a Portuguese amateur rugby union team based in Lisbon. Benfica is one of the most ancient Portuguese rugby teams. The men's team competes in the Campeonato Português de Rugby - Divisão de Honra, 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 section competed in the Campeonato Nacional, the first tier, but recent changes in the competition mean they only compete in Sevens.

Benfica
Full nameAssociação SLB Rugby
UnionPortuguese Rugby Federation
Founded4 October 1924 (1924-10-04)
LocationLisbon, Portugal
Ground(s)Lisbon University Stadium[1]
ChairmanFilipe Grenho
Coach(es)Francisco Aguiar[2]
League(s)Campeonato Português de Rugby - Divisão de Honra
2018–19Campeonato Nacional de Rugby I Divisão, runners-up (promoted)
Official website
www.slbenfica.pt/pt-pt/modalidades/rugby
Active departments of S.L. Benfica
Football
(men's)		 Football B
(men's)		 Football U19
(men's)
Football
(women's)		 Futsal Roller hockey
Basketball Handball Volleyball
Athletics Swimming Rugby union
Table tennis Billiards Canoeing

Unlike Benfica's other sports, which are in its direct control, thus getting vast investment, rugby is not directly under control of the club, but rather as an association that manages the sport with permission from the club, so investment is far more limited. 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 the country at the 2007 World Cup.

Honours

According to Benfica's official website[5]

Men's
Winners (9): 1959–60, 1960–61, 1961–62, 1969–70, 1975–76, 1985–86, 1987–88, 1990–91, 2000–01
Winners (10): 1961, 1965, 1966, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1983, 1984, 1985[6]
Winners (4): 1971, 1986, 1988, 1991
  • Campeonato Regional de Lisboa
Winners (12): 1931, 1936, 1937, 1939, 1942, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1954, 1955
  • Taça de Honra da FPR
Winners (3): 1949, 1950, 1966

Women's
Winners (5): 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
Winners (7): 2004–05, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12
  • Supertaça
Winner (8): 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016
  • Campeonato Nacional de Sevens
Winners (5): 2009–10, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16
  • Taça de Portugal de Sevens
Winners (3): 2014, 2014, 2016
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References
  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. Benfica discute subida à Divisão de Honra no fim de semana S.L. Benfica (in Portuguese)
  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.
  5. "Palmarés" [Honours]. S.L. Benfica. 7 August 2012. Archived from the original on 29 June 2016.
  6. Palmarés da Taça de Portugal de râguebi Record (in Portuguese)
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