Full name | Associação SLB Rugby |
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Union | Portuguese Rugby Federation |
Founded | 4 October 1924 |
Location | Lisbon, Portugal |
Ground(s) | Complexo Desportivo do Estádio da Luz Campo dos Pupilos do Exército |
Chairman | Filipe Grenho |
Coach(es) | José Mendes |
League(s) | Campeonato Português de Rugby |
2016–17 | Rugby I Divisão, 1st (promoted) |
Official website | |
www |
Active departments of Sport Lisboa e Benfica |
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Football | Football B | Football U-19 |
Futsal | Roller hockey | Basketball |
Handball | Volleyball | Athletics |
Swimming | Rugby union | Table tennis |
Billiards | Canoeing |
Sport Lisboa e Benfica is an amateur rugby union team based in Lisbon, Portugal. Benfica is one of the most ancient Portuguese rugby teams. The men's section competes in the Campeonato Português de Rugby, the Portuguese top tier, following the promotion in the 2016–17 season. On 27 June 2014, the club refused the invitation to join the first division. The women's section competed in the Campeonato Nacional, the first tier, but recent changes in the competition mean they only compete in Sevens.
Unlike Benfica's other sports, which are in its direct control, thus getting vast investment, rugby is not directly under control of the club, but rather as an association that manages the sport with permission from the club, so investment is far more limited. Benfica rugby has no field of its own, renting Campo da Sobreda for its games, while the youth teams play at the Pupilos do Exército, near Colégio Militar in Lisbon.
Benfica hoped to secure a rugby field in Oeiras, in a 20-year rental, but the project never materialized. It was supposed to have a grass field capable of international matches, plus two synthetic fields for youth development, three football fields for Under 12, a 2,000 people stand and additional logistical support.
Benfica had a player in the Portugal national team who played at 2007 Rugby World Cup: Diogo Gama.
Last updated: 6 September 2016
Source: S.L. Benfica
According to Benfica's official website