RC Říčany (known as RC Mountfield Říčany for sponsorship reasons) is a Czech

rugby Rugby may refer to: Sport * Rugby football in many forms: ** Rugby league: 13 players per side *** Masters Rugby League *** Mod league *** Rugby league nines *** Rugby league sevens *** Touch (sport) *** Wheelchair rugby league ** Rugby union: 1 ...

club based in Říčany. They currently play in the

Extraliga ragby XV The Extraliga rugby XV is a rugby club competition played in the Czech Republic and is the top level of rugby in the country. There is a promotion-relegation process between the Extraliga ragby and the 1. Liga ragby XV. The league used to be know ...

. Since 2009 they also compete in the

Central & Eastern European Rugby Cup Central is an adjective usually referring to being in the center of some place or (mathematical) object. Central may also refer to: Directions and generalised locations * Central Africa, a region in the centre of Africa continent, also known as ...

along with fellow Czechs Dragon Brno.

History

RC Říčany was founded in 1944 by Josef Kohout, after which the club's home ground is named. The club had a tough start, as

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

was still pretty much in full force. People were living in fear for the Gestapo or being sent to work in Germany. Initially, they played only friendly matches, including a match against an Anglo-American forces side in 1946. 1952 saw the temporary cessation of rugby activity, owing to the lack of skilled players and competent officials, problems with the playing field and financial struggles. In 1956 the club restarted again, with more focus on developing home-grown players, and with Josef Kohout still a major driving force behind the club. The club celebrated their 65th anniversary in 2009.

Historical names

* DTJ Říčany (1944) * Meteor Říčany (1946–49) * TJ Sokol Říčany (1950–66) * TJ Sokol Disk Říčany (1967–87) * TJ Sokol Spoje Říčany (1988–89) * Rugby Club Říčany (1990–2010) * Rugby Club Mountfield Říčany (2011–)

Honours

** 1996, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2021, 2022, 2023

Notable former players

* Josef Kohout * Martin Cimprich

References

External links

RC Říčany

80 years of Czech Rugby
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ricany, Rc Rugby union teams in the Czech Republic Rugby clubs established in 1944 Prague-East District