Rugby Club Zagreb History
The founding of Zagreb’s third rugby club — following Rugby Club Mladost and Rugby Club Trešnjevka — was initiated in 1955 by Mirko Golub. The club was originally established as Rugby Club Trgovački, and after the merger of SD Sloboda and SD Zagreb, it became Rugby Club Zagreb. In 1957, the first coach, Nikola Kopajtić, left for Canada, while most players departed for military service, causing the club to cease operations for a time.
The founding of Zagreb’s third rugby club — following Rugby Club Mladost and Rugby Club Trešnjevka — was initiated in 1955 by Mirko Golub. The club was originally established as Rugby Club Trgovački, and after the merger of SD Sloboda and SD Zagreb, it became Rugby Club Zagreb. In 1957, the first coach, Nikola Kopajtić, left for Canada, while most players departed for military service, causing the club to cease operations for a time.
On May 25, 1974, Rugby Club Zagreb won the national cup for the first time, defeating Split’s Nada in Knin. That moment marked the beginning of a long series of victories and titles that would place Rugby Club Zagreb among the greatest sporting legends of the city. Player Nikola Ohnjec famously celebrated that historic triumph by standing on his hands atop the Knin fortress — on the edge of a cliff!
In the second half of the 1980s, Zagreb’s form declined. Many veteran players retired or left, while clubs like Čelik and Nada rose to prominence. After nearly a decade without a home ground (hosting matches on Mladost’s pitch by the Sava River), Rugby Club Zagreb finally opened its own field in 1990, marked by a friendly match against Yugoslav New Zealand.
In the second half of the 1980s, Zagreb’s form declined. Many veteran players retired or left, while clubs like Čelik and Nada rose to prominence. After nearly a decade without a home ground (hosting matches on Mladost’s pitch by the Sava River), Rugby Club Zagreb finally opened its own field in 1990, marked by a friendly match against Yugoslav New Zealand.
In 1995, on their home ground in Rudeš, Zagreb captured the national cup once again, defeating Jadran HRM 29–12. As a reward, coach Bartolić led the team on a tour of France, with their first stop in Luxembourg. There, Cathy — who had once trained with RK Zagreb while living in the city — hosted the entire team for dinner, managing single-handedly to feed and serve drinks to over 30 grown men!
In 1995, on their home ground in Rudeš, Zagreb captured the national cup once again, defeating Jadran HRM 29–12. As a reward, coach Bartolić led the team on a tour of France, with their first stop in Luxembourg. There, Cathy — who had once trained with RK Zagreb while living in the city — hosted the entire team for dinner, managing single-handedly to feed and serve drinks to over 30 grown men!
Over the next decade, the club faced numerous challenges — from dedicated work with younger generations to organizing major international tournaments and matches in Rudeš and Kranjčevićeva. In 2005, Tomislav Gomuzak took over as player-coach. The team held training camps in Savudrija, remembered fondly for the final evening when the entire squad went out to Umag for a night of great fun and celebration.
Over the next decade, the club faced numerous challenges — from dedicated work with younger generations to organizing major international tournaments and matches in Rudeš and Kranjčevićeva. In 2005, Tomislav Gomuzak took over as player-coach. The team held training camps in Savudrija, remembered fondly for the final evening when the entire squad went out to Umag for a night of great fun and celebration.