AEL Limassol Rugby


AEL Limassol Rugby are the rugby union department of AEL Limassol, Cyprus. They were the second independent rugby club to be formed in Cyprus, after the Paphos Tigers. They were established in late 2003 as Limassol Crusaders and joined AEL in September 2025.

History

The club was formed, as Limassol Crusaders, and initial membership recruited, by word of mouth after the 2003 [Rugby World Cup]. Temporary training facilities were used initially, including a spell at the Elias Beach Resort Hotel, until the club finally leased the AEK Achileas Stadium in 2004, with the club joining the Joint Services Rugby Football Union and competing formally starting with the 2004/05 season. When the Cyprus Rugby Federation formed its own league, Limassol Crusaders joined it.
When, in 2006, Cyprus formed a Cyprus national [rugby union team|national squad], five Crusaders were members of the team that won their inaugural game against Greece.
In 2013, the Crusaders moved to a new stadium in the Mesa Geitonia area of Limassol. The new stadium had a higher capacity, better drainage and conformed better to IRB safety regulations.
In 2016, the club moved back to the historical stadium of AEK Achileas after closing the contract with the previous venue.
In 2025, Limassol Crusaders were officially dissolved as the club was integrated into AEL Limassol to become their Rugby department.

Men's Rugby

Results

League

SeasonLeagueFinal Position
2004/05JSRFU League6th
2005/06JSRFU League6th
2006/07JSRFU League6th
2007/08JSRFU League5th
2008/09JSRFU League6th
2009/10JSRFU League3rd
2010/11JSRFU League5th
2011/12CRF League4th
2012/13CRF League5th
2013/14CRF League3rd
2014/15CRF League3rd
2015/16CRF League3rd
2016/17CRF League2nd
2017/18CRF League3rd
2018/19CRF LeagueUnfinished due to Covid
2019/20CRF LeagueCancelled due to Covid
2025/26CRF LeagueOngoing

Tours

YearTeamLocationResultYearTeamLocationResult
2006Maastricht University

Captains

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.
  • 2004/06 Zeno Nicolaou
  • 2006/08 Andrew Spring
  • 2008/09 Darryl Davies
  • 2009/10 Greg Loucaides
  • 2010/11 Andrew Spring - Marko Mladenovic
  • 2011/13 Fraser Nelson
  • 2013/19 Constantinos Constantinides
  • 2019/20 Robert Field
  • 2021/25 Devon Van Der Merwe

Ladies rugby

The ladies section of AEL Limassol Rugby are known as The Sirens. They currently compete in the Women's Cyprus Rugby Federation League, predominantly with the minimal contact version of Touch Rugby; according to the Federation of International Touch rules. They played their first competitive match, against a team from the visiting HMS [Queen Elizabeth (R08)|HMS Queen Elizabeth], in 2021.
There is also training for the contact versions of rugby union, and smaller local competitions held in the 7's, 10's, and XV's format, numbers permitting.
As of 2025, the Sirens are the title holders of the Women's CRF League.

Results

League

SeasonLeagueFinal Position
2024/25Women's CRF LeagueWinner
2025/26Women's CRF LeagueOngoing

Captains

  • 2023/25 Lotte Pollack

Coaches

  • 2024/25 Panayiotis Karasavvas
  • 2025 Steve Wrigglesworth

Youth rugby

As well as the senior teams, AEL Limassol Rugby also encourages youth rugby. The Colts is open to boys and girls aged 13 and older and the Minicru is open to children aged 6 and older.

Veterans rugby

In November 2016 the Limassol Crusaders for the first time fulfil a Veterans squad as opposition for the Camberley Rugby Vets on tour in Cyprus. The team has been unofficially called "the Commandarias".
AEL Limassol Rugby now have a fully viable veterans team who train regularly.