CSSC Barbarians – A Club History

Anyone not familiar with the rugby might find the idea of Civil Servants running around a grassy field behaving like Barbarians to be either baffling or worrying! But those familiar with the oval-ball game are likely to be far more reassured. In rugby-terms, the name is generally given to a team made up from different clubs gathering together to play a handful of matches while enjoying the camaraderie of the game and playing attacking, adventurous rugby. 

It’s a philosophy that’s been adopted by the CSSC Barbarians Rugby Club, according its founder and inaugural club Captain Ashley Robinson: “I strived to create friendly rugby club with no airs and graces; and we’re a club that is run by its members for its members.  We take a lot of pride in representing our departments and Civil Service in the rugby arena!”   

On  the 3^rd April 2006 an action plan was put into motion, following the idea of creating a Civil Service Rugby Club, run by civil service members for the benefit of civil service members. The Immigration Irregulars Rugby Club was born out of a sitting room at the parent of Club Captain Ashley Robinson.  The team went on to play it’s fist ever game of rugby in Carshalton,  Surrey.  The inaugural match took place against Mitcham Rugby Club on  Saturday 8th April 2006 .  The Irregulars’ team was comprised of Immigration Officers, Police Officers and officers of the Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman from all over the UK, including London, Heathrow,  Maidstone,  Southampton and Dover. The team captain was Ashley Robinson.  The team met early, in order for some to take a crash-course in the laws of the game, and for others to meet each other for the first time.  The match kicked off at  15:00 and the game started well with an early try for the Irregulars.  Lack of knowledge of the laws of the game, and lack of knowledge of team mates’ names (!) had a noticeable effect, and by half-time Mitcham led 19-5…   

The second half, however, saw the Irregulars come out fighting with heads held high. After a few substitutions injected a bit of much-needed fresh blood (and youth…) the Irregulars started playing like a team that had been together for years.  Three tries from the forwards, including two from the captain, made it anyone’s game and half-way through the second half the Irregulars were right back in it and were leading 20-19!  Mitcham were however fighting hard to get back in the game and put another try down late in the second half to regain the lead. The Irregulars spirits were still high, and encouraged by some vocal support from the touchline they subsequently stole the last try of the game.  The match ended with the Irregulars victorious 27-24.  Man of the match was fly-half Raymond Stephens.  Mitcham were perfect hosts and provided kit, a pitch, a ref, food and refreshments for all the team, although I believe they were a little surprised at how well the Irregulars played on the day!  The match was competitive but played in the best of spirit with handshakes all round.   

Following discussions with Home Office Sports and Social Association (HOSSA), Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) and the Executive Committee of the Immigration Irregulars Rugby Club, the club later became the National, Civil Service Rugby Club.  Remaining dominated by Immigration Service and Home Office staff the club took on the name “CSSC Barbarians”.   The change widened the player base, for the greater good of the club, however still retaining a strong Immigration presence with a UK Border Agency Strategic Director, acting as its Honorary President. 

The club aims to offer rugby to players of any standard or level of experience, wherever they may be in the country. Although based at the CSSC Sports Ground in Chiswick, the club is set-up to play fixtures around the country against a mixture of club teams and other government departments.  We’ve had a mixture of experience in the teams we’ve put out so far - some people turn out regularly for a club side while some people haven’t played before. We’ll always find a place for anyone who wants to play. It’s one of the integral parts of the club.

Send mail to administrator@csscbarbarians.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site. 

Copyright © 2009 CSSC Barbarians

Last modified: April 05, 2009