Denver Barbarians RFC
[edit] The Founding of the Barbos
In the mid- 60’s there were only two loose knit rugby groups in Colorado, Colorado School of Mines and University of Colorado . Some Lacrosse players from the Denver Lacrosse Club got together a group of guys several times in 1966 or early 1967 to play Rugby against the Mines and CU groups. They never had enough players and always had to recruit heavily from the opposition, but some games were played. In the Fall of 1967, the Lacrosse Club players found some more guys that actually knew a little about rugby, plus they recruited some non-students who were playing for CU and they almost had a full team. This group of people decided to call themselves the Denver Barbarians as a takeoff on the English Barbarians, which is a select club side. The rest is history.
The Denver Barbarians Rugby Football Club (the Barbos) was founded in 1967. The initial members were men that had been playing rugby with some of the local collegiate teams or were Lacrosse players that wanted to learn new skills. The Barbos were the first club side and became the standard for post collegiate rugby in the region.
[edit] Growing the Club
With the growth of the sport in the ensuing decades the Barbos played a larger role in game both on and off the field. The Barbos supplied many players to all levels of select side play including the Eagles, the United States National Team. In addition many referees, coaches, and administrators at all levels have emerged from the Barbos ranks. The Club has won championships at the National, Territorial, and Local level in both 15’s and seven-a-side play.
[edit] The Current State of the Barbos
Today the club has 60+ players fielding teams in three different leagues of play. The Super League Team competes against 15 other club teams from all over the United States. This is the highest level of competitive play in the U.S. and requires a great deal of travel all compressed into a three month period in the spring. The Barbos also field a team in Division II of the National Club Competition and are very competitive with this team. The Barbos “Olde Boys” team competes in the recreational division locally.
The club supports youth rugby by providing clinics and coaches to high school and middle school teams. They also are involved in community service activities promoting several charitable events throughout the year.
