Meet Dendermonde Rugby Club, Tigers’ latest global partner club and the current Belgian Elite League.

As part of the Tigers Global Partnership Plan to help shape global grassroots rugby and build the Tigers brand around the world, Dendermonde will are playing an active role in driving the game’s development. 

Here is a guide for supporters to learn about our latest addition to the Tigers Family and the role they will play in developing rugby around the world.

Dendermonde Rugby Club – A brief history

Dendermonde were officially formed in March of 1962 under the name of SOS Rugby Sint-Gillis thanks to the vision of sports administrator Norbert De Jongh. The club lost its first game against ASUB 13-20 and competed against seven teams in the league.

Developing a strong youth following, the turn of the 1990’s saw the club push on with the construction of its own complex in the Van Langenhovestraat region.

Playing in green and yellow, the club are Belgium’s only team from the Flanders region and in 1999 enjoyed its first title success with the U19 team.

The first XV (seniors) played in their first title final in 2010, but had to wait until 2012 to be finally crowned champions. This made up a league and cup double, a feat that was repeated in the 2015/16 season.

Dendermonde’s ladies team (Gazelles) also enjoyed a run of title-winning success during the 2000’s.

Now at its newly-built Sport Complex Sint-Gilles home, the club annually hosts the International Flanders Open Rugby tournament inviting teams from across the region to take part.

The 2016/17 season saw Dendermonde RC win a successive top flight title, winning the league by eight points.

Next week, we will meet some of the teams, coaches and players at Dendermonde.

Find out more about by visiting their website at dendermonderugbyclub.be/