Guatemala Quetzal Rugby Club

The Guatemala Quetzal Rugby Club (also known as GQRC) is a rugby union team based in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The club competes in the Asociacion Guatemalteca de Rugby 15s tournament. The club uses both their location, Guatemala, Guatemala, and the Guatemalan national bird, the Quetzal, as club identifiers. The club in its beginning was represented mainly by players from Guatemala but also from The United States, Argentina, Japan, Mexico, England, Italy, France and Canada. As of today the club is represented by 95% Guatemalan players. The club used Maya numerals on the back of their jersey to identify a player's position in the first two years of activities.
History.
The club was founded on March 4, 2010, being the 6th club to be created in the history of Guatemalan Rugby. The institution was created by a mix of Guatemalans and expatriates with the intention of increasing the level of play in Guatemala, through competition in the existing tournament. The first formal training took place at the Inter-American College of Guatemala on March 20, 2010.
A file submitted to mediation by the Guatemalan Rugby Association by another club in Guatemala City prevented the entry of GQRC into the competition scheduled for the 2010 Tournament. The support of the other participating Clubs and the National Team of El Salvador (Torogoces) It affected the Association to dismiss the case and force Guatemala Quetzal Rugby Club to enter the national competition. Guatemala Quetzal Rugby Club won its first championship title, being the first team in the history of Guatemalan Rugby to get it undefeated. [1]
In 2011, the club was formally incorporated into the Antigua Guatemalan Rugby Association, beginning its training in January 2011. 2011 is a very fruitful year for the club with a second championship with only one game lost in the year.
In 2012 the club suffered administrative changes which had an unfavorable consequence on the organization in general; sports and administrative. For that reason the team did not go beyond the qualifying stage in the 2012 season and it was until the last quarter of 2012 when a new board of directors was formed which took office with the aim of reorganizing the club.
In 2013 the women's team of Rugby Seven 7s was created, who are currently participating in the Women's Major League and of which they have been undefeated champions since 2013 to date.
They have represented the Club in different international competitions such as the Maquilishuat cup played in El Salvador, winning the first place in 2016 and second place in 2017.
At present Quetzales Rugby club contributes more than 60% of players that belong to the female Rugby team. as a selection they have represented Guatemala in different international tournaments such as:
From 2014 to date the men's team of Quetzales has contributed around 40% of players for the Rugby men's team, being champions on multiple occasions of the South American major C, giving way to the 2018 team to participate in the South American tournament 4 nations
Due to the trajectory and experience of several players throughout the history of the club, Quetzales Rugby club currently contributes 5 referees of different levels certified by the ComAr to support the development of the national rugby league.
This also contributes to two high-level coaches that have led the Guatemalan team to be champion on different occasions internationally.
for the female branch
For the Male branch in 15s mode
Founders of the Club.
 Ricardo Alvarado Anguiano Colin Brown Farzad Darouian David Horner Lautaro Cayarga Paoltroni
Honors.
Male Team
Female team
Sponsorship.
The primary sponsor of GQRC is Rattle'n Hum Bar of Guatemala, Guatemala which doubles as the team's clubhouse. Colegio Interamericano supports the team by allowing the use of their secure training area. WorldGym Guatemala is the club's official gym.
Recruiting.
GQRC promotes the sport of rugby in Guatemala by seeking out new players through established relationships with local schools, embassies volunteer work and by holding rugby clinics.