Brussels Barbarians RFC

A sad goodbye to former BBRFC player Dirk Straathof

Written by Ken Knuts Wednesday, 09 November 2011 21:26

It is with great sadness that we have to inform you that former BBRFC player Dirk Straathof tragically died on 4 November 2011, as a result of a serious traffic accident whilst cycling in Brussels a few days earlier: Dirk, aged 53, was a Vice President of Proctor & Gamble, based  in Belgium.

An outstanding back row forward, Dirk played for Brussels British initially in the mid 80s and again in the early 90s: he was a Netherlands international player, who had also captained the Dutch national team.

We understand that the funeral will be at 11.00 on Friday 11 November at the Kloosterkerk, Lange Voorhout 2 , Den Haag.

BBRFC players,  past & present, send their sincere condolences to Dirk’s wife Brigitte and his family and our thoughts are with them at this very sad time.

BrigandZe - BBRFC

Written by Nicolas Becuwe Thursday, 24 November 2011 17:12

2011 Sunday November the 20th 3 PM

This match had all the makings of fiendish trap; into which the baa-baas, on another occasion, could have fallen. All the ingredients were there: herded into a stamp-sized pitch (basically the smallest rugby pitch in Belgium) in the middle of nowhere, against a team just below them in the league. Despite a hair-raising journey, trying to keep up their coach who was trying to imitate Sebastien Loeb on the roads of Flanders, nearly all Barbarians arrived safely in Berlare ready to fight against BriganZe.

The first half started well for the Barbarians who, after a long kick off by Julien, obtained a good scrum 15 meters from BrigandZe's line. But that would not be as easy as it looked. The first scrum – as many of them during the game – was difficult for the baa-baas who took pressure from the opponents. The game was balanced, with a tough fight in the rucks, around the rucks and – indeed –in open play. After 5 minutes, BrigandZe won a first penalty, duly converted. Some minutes later, it was the turn of Julien to convert a penalty (3-3).

Read more: BrigandZe - BBRFC

BBRFC – Arendonk

Written by Nicolas Becuwe Thursday, 17 November 2011 16:11

2011 Sunday November the 13th 3 PM

After a two-weeks break, the Baa-baas were hungry for rugby and hungry for victory. On a very foggy day, they emerged together from the changing rooms with the will the fight for one another and exhibiting nasty and aggressive faces. The atmosphere before the game was tense, the Baa-baas concentrated on listening to the war-like words of their coach, Arnaud.

Arendonk won the toss and elected to kick-off. The beginning of the game was not to the advantage of the Baa-baas who spent the first five minutes camped in their own 22. Arendonk's giants, led by Vercingetorix, came within centimeters of the try line, yet their assaults were stopped by an iron defense. However, Arendonk finally converted their chances through a penalty (3-0). The Baa-baas came back in the game and after the first difficult minutes they were starting to assert some domination on the game. A good lineout in the opposite twenty-two formed the basis for Patrick to take and beat two or three players to score the first try of the game, converted by Nick straight after. The Baa-baas were now unstoppable,

Read more: BBRFC – Arendonk

The History of the Brussels Barbarians

In September 1968 a group of expatriate British rugby players decided to form a club in order to continue playing the sport in the manner in which they were accustomed back home, especially the well known after the match social aspects.

Over the next few years things developed rapidly. In 1970, the second XV was born, by 1972 the Belgian National side had been beaten and the Belgian Cup won.

In 1973, the third XV was launched and with a steadily improving fixture list we were playing with credit such sides as Coventry, Blackheath, Newbridge and Public School Wanderers.

In 1974 the Belgian Cup was won again. This halcyon period continued unabated through to the club’s very successful tour of the USA in May 1978, when we played seven matches and the first XV remained unbeaten against the best sides on the East Coast.

Since 1978 the club has continued to remain one of the most active and successful ex-patriate clubs in Europe. During this latter period the standard of Belgian Rugby and the number of clubs has increased significantly.

Read more: The History of the Brussels Barbarians