Southerners Sports Club (Bangkok)

The Southerners Sports Club is an informal, non-commercial Bangkok-based club of expats and Thais. The Southerners field teams in Bangkok's local rugby, netball, touch rugby (men's, women's and mixed) and cricket competitions, and also tour to neighbouring countries for regional-based sports tournaments.

The club aims to provide a relaxed atmosphere in both sporting and social contexts.

In October 1994, New Zealand Rugby side Taradale RFC were looking to tour Thailand and play in a four-way rugby sevens tournament alongside teams from Thailand, Guam and Taiwan. A group of Australians and New Zealanders, on seeing they could field a sevens side, agreed to help organize the tournament, entering a Thailand team they decided to call "The Southerners".

Former New Zealand All Black Zinzan Brooke, who was in Bangkok doing a TV commercial for Thai Airways, was co-opted by the fledgling Southerners team to compete in the inaugural game. Coincidentally, Taradale RFC also featured All Black Dallas Seymour in their team list. The competition proved a success with Taradale edging out the Southerners to win the tournament.

The Southerners were later officially established on 3 November 1994 when the Club's registration was accepted by the Thai Rugby Union and were approved to enter the British Council Cup Competition (Division 1).

In September 2005, the Ambassadors to Thailand of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom sponsored the 'Ambassadors Cup', a three-match rugby series between the Southerners Sports Club and the British Club.

The Southerners Sports Club has been sponsored by Crown Worldwide Group since 2001.

The foundation team for the Southerners Sports Club, the rugby section has become a magnet for both experienced players, as well as non-players and those with backgrounds in Gaelic and Australian Rules Football, rugby league and wrestling.

Southerners compete yearly in the Thailand Rugby Union competition, as well as in local and international rugby tournaments spanning 7's, 10's and 15's formats. The Southerners recently competed in the 2008 Bangkok International 7s and 2009 Bangkok International 10's Rugby competitions.

The Southerners netball section competes in the Bangkok Netball League, having had strong success in the League, as well as in local and international tournaments and the Thai National Championships.

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