Bahrain Rugby Football Club (RFC) started life as a section of the British Club in 1971 before becoming its own separate entity in 1974 and taking up residence at a small ground on the perimeter of the main runway at Bahrain International Airport.
The early years brought regular fixtures against local sides and the occasional touring team but the club’s ambition was to be instrumental in the formation of the first regional leagues, under the auspices of the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union (AGRFU).
With the expanding rugby programme, Bahrain RFC moved to a new home in Saar in 1977, where it was to establish itself as one of the strongest clubs in the Middle East, both on and off the pitch.
The 1980s was arguably the golden era for Bahrain on the field of play as they dominated proceedings across the annual Arabian Gulf League, Arabian Gulf Cup and Dubai Sevens competitions. Indeed, such was the club’s reputation and strength at the time that it was frequently asked to represent the Arabian Gulf representative team in its entirety.