DURGESH PARMAR
Goa, a land steeped in sporting tradition, has always worn football close to its heart. The beautiful game is almost a religion for Goemkars. Yet, in the early 2010s, the State's sun-drenched beaches witnessed the arrival of a new contender: Rugby.
It all began with a few enthusiastic foreigners passing, dodging, and sprinting across Goa’s sands with nothing more than a coconut in hand, until they got their hands on an actual rugby ball.
Their energy and passion were infectious. Goans, already sports lovers, took notice. It wasn’t long before rugby found grassroots support, ultimately gaining serious momentum.
The sport got its first formal footing in 2014, when Anish Quenim and Peter Fernandes, along with former Welsh internationals Dave and Belinda Trotter, planted the seed by founding the Goa Rugby Union. What followed was nothing short of inspiring. Within a few years, Rugby had carved out a niche for itself among Goa’s youth.
The sport got its first formal footing in 2014, when Anish Quenim and Peter Fernandes, along with former Welsh internationals Dave and Belinda Trotter, planted the seed by founding the Goa Rugby Union.
“The association used to organise three to four tournaments a year before Covid,” recalls Kaniel D’Souza, Vice President of Goa Rugby Union. “We made it fun with Halloween Rugby, Christmas Touch, and Carnival Rugby. Each tournament drew over a thousand participants.”
The sport peaked around 2016, with Goa's senior men’s team ranked 8th and the women’s team 5th in India. That same year, the men clinched gold and the women won silver at the Rugby Nationals, a historic achievement that put Goa on the Indian Rugby Federation’s radar.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a heavy blow.
“As a contact sport, we had to sit out during COVID,” said Brandan Crasto, senior men’s player and founder of Crocotryles Rugby Foundation. “People were struggling, both mentally and financially, and clubs shut down. Funding stopped, and the momentum just collapsed.”
But the story didn’t end there. In 2023, rugby in Goa saw a revival. Brandan Crasto, with the support of his former neighbours and coaches Dave and Belinda Trotter, founded the Crocotryles Rugby Foundation in Margao.
Their efforts culminated in the Goa Rugby 7s, a national-level club tournament backed by the Fatorda MLA and the Goa Tourism Department.
At the grassroots level, the Goa Rugby Union is again buzzing with activity. “Goa now has four active clubs: Crazy Pirates in the North, Crocotryles RF in the South, Saints RC in the East, and Trymates in Panjim, West. These clubs are the talent factories feeding the State teams,” said D’Souza.
India senior women's player, Chanel Crizzle, is upbeat about the future, “There’s unmatched grit and hunger in the eyes of our players. I want to reach new heights with this team. The goal is to improve our style of play, our rankings, and the trophies we win.”
There’s unmatched grit and hunger in the eyes of our players. I want to reach new heights with this team. The goal is to improve our style of play, our rankings, and the trophies we win.
Chanel Crizzle, India senior women's player
Still, for rugby to thrive in Goa, the challenges are real. “We need serious manpower, consistent financial backing, and a transparent structure,” said Andrea Crizzle, a member of Rugby India.
“The Goa Rugby Association is currently undergoing a much-needed transition. Once we secure long-term sponsors and build a solid support system, we should get this show on the road," she added.
From beaches to national arenas, rugby in Goa is a story of resilience, passion, and a dream that refuses to die.