Globalair Overseas Rugby Union Football Club (Globalair Overseas) will be celebrating its 60th birthday anniversary tomorrow at Ryan’s Irish Pub, Spinola Bay, St Julians.
Originally the sports club of the British Armed forces based in Malta, Globalair Overseas was founded in 1946 and makes good claim to, possibly, being the oldest Rugby club in the Mediterranean, and certainly Malta.
Mr Bryan Corlett, one of the club’s longest standing members (and a former captain) will deliver an opening speech on the night and give a brief outline of the club’s history. The new playing gear will be presented for the first time during the event and the official announcement of the club’s new sponsor for the 2006/2007 season – Globalair Travel & Tourism will be made.
Globalair Overseas will be continuing their longstanding relationship with Ryan’s Irish Pub and Hopleaf Extra Premium Beer
The Overseas Rugby and Sports Club, Malta, was formed in November, 1946. For 27 years ‘Overseas’ was purely a rugby club and known as the Overseas Rugby Club or Overseas RUFC.
It was not until 1973 that Overseas became a ‘Rugby and Sports Club’. Its name derives from the fact that since its very beginning, it has consisted primarily of people of different cultures and nationalities.
These include South Africa, New Zealand, Holland, the United Kingdom and Malta to name a few. This has seen individuals from different cultural backgrounds come together into one team. It is this that makes the Overseas RUFC special, the very character of the team derives from this diversity of culture. One of the main aims of the club, from the statute, is to promote the game of rugby in the Maltese Islands.
The club encourages all players to join, to enjoy the game and the social aspects of the club. Perhaps because of the ex-patriot origins of the club, it attracts many ex-pats even now.
Players from New Zealand, Australia, Norway, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Canada, America, France, South Africa and Italy have been members of this fine club. This wealth of rugby experience is constantly being disseminated to young Maltese players.Grant Williams is president and coach of Globalair Overseas while Daryl Psaila is team captain.