Rugby union in Syria

Touch rugby was played in Damascus since 1982 after a notice had been put up in the British Council and after a Syrian student at the Council had acquired a rugby ball in Beirut. The first game comprised two Syrian teenagers, one American and one British English teacher. From this small beginning the subsequent informal club with largely the same nationalities grew quickly and enthusiastically. Rugby had, of course, been played earlier in Syria under the French Mandate but had died out.

Rugby union was introduced to Syria by the French and the British in 2003, started to grow by inviting the Syrians to play and join the team to participate in region tournaments in the Middle East.

The Syrian Rugby League is powered by the Syrian Sport Federation in 2012 and named as the Syrian High Rugby Committee and appointed Ahmad Madani as president of the Syrian Committee. As of 2013, the league comprised four teams: Zenobians Rugby Club (formed in 2014), Iust Palmerians (2015), AIU Alphas (2015), and Victory (2012).

• Rugby in Asia, Syria page
• The Zenobian's website
• "Islam and Rugby" on the Rugby Readers review
• Syrians take to rugby with fierce pride (New York Times)
• Touch rugby match underscores informal EU-Syrian Co-operation
• Asian Rugby Football Union
• IRB page