The Gainesville Spartans Rugby Club was established in 2017 by Travis Bonning, Dee Brown, and Bradley Fleming in their effort to grow more rugby in Northeast Georgia. A member of the original Spartans in Birmingham, England in his youth, Bradley had desired to plant a branch of his home club on American soil since his family moved across the pond and the Birmingham Spartans were happy to approve the use of their name and sword logo.

Since joining the Georgia Rugby Union (GRU), the Gainesville’s men’s team has been a scrappy young side boasting the following placements in their first five years of existence:

2018-19: 2nd place

2019-20: 2nd place

2020-21: (covid cancellation of season)

2021-22: GRU Champions

2022-23: 2nd place

In 2023-24 though, it was time for the club to grow in new directions. That year the Spartans began recruiting for its first women’s team and welcomed several women players into the sport. It also saw several of its veteran men’s players take up spots on the GRU’s newly formed Georgia Barbarians Select-side.

Still looking to expand, in 2024-25 the club appointed its first Director of Youth Rugby to begin laying the groundwork for supporting multiple youth teams — a long-time goal of the club founders.

Today the Gainesville Spartans Rugby Club is home to players from far and wide, including Argentina, England, France, Ireland Poland, South Africa, and Venezuela!

If you’ve ever wanted to try rugby, or are simply interested in joining a welcoming community intent on spreading the fun, camaraderie, and culture of rugby in the Gainesville area, you’ve got a place with the Gainesville Spartans!